It is hard to argue against the view England ended the Six Nations with their most complete performance in recent memory, and certainly in the tenure of Steve Borthwick.
Indeed, some even have gone as far as to say the demolition of Wales was one of England’s best performances ever in the championship.
Cardiff has been a place that has haunted the English and its fanbase for so long. Countless times in the history of the tournament, England come across the Severn as favourites, to be left with nothing but the memories of red shirts running riot.
It was without doubt a cracking performance from England but do we all need to take a step back and add a little context?
Wales are a shadow of themselves, a team rattled by the lack of investment into the regions and a turbulent losing run which is now up to a staggering 17 straight defeats.
The hosts were a team at the end of a dismal campaign in which few, if any, green shoots appeared for a young side left adrift by the lack of desire of any world-renowned coach to take on the poisoned chalice that Warren Gatland has left behind.
England should have and did walk into the Principality Stadium on Saturday to dismantle such a foe.
However, more context is needed here. Borthwick’s team stumbled badly earlier in this year’s Six Nations and were fortuitous in the victories against both France and Scotland.
They could easily have been fighting for their coach’s survival against Wales, had the French not fluffed their lines and the Scots been more ruthless.
But after these faltering displays, England found a spark against Italy and then last Saturday in Cardiff has set the template, and raised the bar, for the manner in which they can play.
The back row was outstanding, the Curry twins causing havoc in a game in which Tom and Ben shone as bright as one another.
Wales, without the names of yesteryear such as Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric, struggled on the back foot. Jac Morgan is a talent, and has been Wales’ best player, but in this game did he lose his chance of a Lions place?
England too exploited the youthful naivety of the Welsh backline, seeming to take yards as they pleased throughout the game.
This created an environment in which Fin Smith and Fraser Dingwall could pull the strings and cut apart the home side’s resistance.
One swallow does not make a summer but is this a pair of migrating birds that have arrived on English shores? Italy and Wales have both been beaten and in a style in stark contrast to England’s early tournament tactics and form.
Maybe these games showcase where England are heading, and that the coaches have recognised the need for expansion and risk to get the best out of their resources.
Time will tell, and the pause for the Lions tour this summer will mean only a handful of those involved in the Wales game will be able to continue this resurgence on England’s July trip to Argentina.
The hiatus may be beneficial, allowing further risk to be embedded into the England DNA before the high-profile players return for the autumn campaign.
For now though, as the Six Nations ends and spring arrives with England having banished their winter blues, what we can say with certainty is there are encouraging shoots of growth on and off the field for this team.
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