England flair impresses Lancaster

Stuart Lancaster insists England now have more players with 'x-factor' in their ranks than at any other time in his three-year reign as head coach.

Among the exciting gamebreakers in the backline are centre Jonathan Joseph and wing Anthony Watson, both of whom crossed in Friday's 21-16 victory over Wales to crown superb performances.

Lancaster believes it takes players with exceptional skills, such as the footwork of Joseph and Watson or the speed of wing Jonny May, to make the difference at the highest level.

When asked about the number of x-factor players at his disposal, Lancaster said: "I do think we have more now - guys like Joseph, Watson, Ben Youngs and George Ford.

"And further down the line there will be others who come into the equation like Manu Tuilagi, who has been developing a tactical perspective while he has been injured."

Lancaster is particularly enthused by Watson, the side-stepping Bath threequarter who showed flashes of brilliance at the Millennium Stadium in only his fifth Test appearance.

"I believe Anthony could be exceptional for us. He's still growing and he's still only 20. He's been a real find in the last six months," said Lancaster, who has named an unchanged starting XV and bench for Saturday's clash with Italy.

"He's been thrown in at the deep end as an international player. He does the basics exceptionally well and his aerial skills are exceptional.

"He's big, tall and athletic and we've yet to put him in too much space in the games - and that's his point of difference."

Watson, who as a teenager had trials at Chelsea and used Jason Robinson as the template for his own evasive style, insists he has benefited from working with mind coach Don Macpherson.

"A year ago I would have been massively nervous going into a hostile environment like the Millennium Stadium, but on Friday I had that perfect balance between calm and excitement," Watson said.

"I was ready to go out there, confident in myself that I'd done all the work I needed to in the week. All I had to do was go out and perform. I can't stagnate as a player now, I have to keep striving to get better.

"Friday has given me confidence, but so too has the way I have been gradually drip fed into the international scene. I'm trying to take things in my stride."

Joseph's return at outside centre has brought a new dimension to the attacking options in England's backline with his beautifully-taken try against Wales suggesting the 23-year-old is at the peak of his powers.

"I was happy to get that moment, but I can't dwell on it too much and keep looking back on it. I need to keep putting the performances in, week in week out," Joseph said.

"We have all the attributes to play a great attacking game. Looking at it from my point of view, there were times against Wales when there were so many opportunities.

"We have the ammo in our armoury to attack teams on all fronts, we just need to make sure we capitalise on the opportunities."