England

England's hopes of securing a top seeding for the 2015 Rugby World Cup draw later this year suffered a major setback with defeat to Wales in their Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday.

It is fair to say that England have been solid but uninspiring in their opening two matches of the 2012 Six Nations.

Stuart Lancaster and Andy Farrell chat to Russell Hargreaves

Stuart Lancaster's England side made it two wins from two after producing a strong second half performance to overcome a spirited Italian side on Saturday.

A gutsy win for England at the Stadio Olimpico saw them go top of the table running out 19-15 winners against Italy. England came from 15-6 down to scrape their second win of the championship.

Stuart Lancaster and his England side got their new era off to the perfect start on Saturday with a 13-6 over Scotland.

How's it going my rugby buddies! As the Six Nations swings by it's a great couple of months for all rugby fans in the Northern Hemisphere.

Six Nations: Week 2 Preview

In the immediate aftermath of Scotland losing to England I tried to refrain from rash comment on the game. Analysis, if it is to be done properly, means using facts.

2012 sees a new start for English rugby. After a disastrous world cup, a new, temporary regime is in place and a fresh, young squad selected.

Philippe Saint-Andre's first game in charge saw France win comfortably against Italy 30-12 in front of the Paris crowd. The home side avenged last year's defeat to the Azzurri by dominating the game from start to finish.

So what did we learn from the first weekend of the 6 Nations. Some would say not much that we didn’t know on Friday but it was a weekend that gave us flashes of brilliance amongst the pragmatism and a couple of controversial refereeing decisions.

It is one of those things where you are envious because that guy is living your dream, but you would be too terrified to say anything if you were in his position.

The first game of this year's Six Nations tournament sees World Cup finalists France host Italy at the Stade de France.

Rarely has an England line-up lacked in caps as much as the one that will take on Scotland in the Calcutta Cup.

The breakdown, the key battlefield of modern rugby, an area where the majority of games are won and lost.

Delon Armitage has been suspended from the Saxons Elite Player Squad following his detention by Devon & Cornwall Police on January 29.

Six Nations coaches and players chat to Talking Rugby

Cueto is a one of a number of the members of England's dismal World Cup campaign to have either voluntarily cut loose from England or simply been omitted by Lancaster.