England's chariot keeps on rolling?
England were quite workmanlike at first against Italy, they obviously had a power advantage through the scrum and when they started to keep the ball and did the basics well it allowed the guys outside to do their stuff.
Jonathan Joseph once against displayed his attacking talents, he's very good and is in great form at the moment.
Stuart Lancaster said he was not happy with certain aspects and there are elements to work on but he will also be happy that they got through another game without any injuries apart from the concussion to Mike Brown.
The guys who have been coming back, like Dan Cole, will only get better and there are other players returning to fitness and coming back into contention. They are two from two, they have momentum and the Championship looks very attainable.
There has been a lot of talk about Jonny May and I hope he doesn't get tagged as a bad defender. He didn't have the best of games but if you look at the stats, he carried the ball more than any other England player and actually didn't miss a tackle. Sometimes he just gets a bit lost in his positioning.
People forget he is still young, especially in terms of this environment, and he will only learn and get better. It is much better that he learns from these mistakes in games like Saturday which was a comfortable win in the end. With ball in hand he didn't really have a chance to shine but he did set up a try for Danny Cipriani.
It's a different tale with Billy Twelvetrees and so far he has not put a foot wrong. When he has had the opportunity to come on he has taken the opportunity and been very impressive, that's all he can do.
Ireland are next up and there's no doubt that will be a step up from both Italy and Wales. Everyone raises their game for England, it is their biggest game – every nation wants to knock England off their pedestal.
If they manage to win at the Aviva Stadium then they're more than half-way there and will be looking very good for a Grand Slam.
The last time they did that was before the 2003 World Cup and of course we all know what happened there. That time it was in Australia and this year it's on home soil so the omens are very good.
That said they cannot afford to get ahead of themselves and have to keep working hard. With the coaching staff they have they will certainly be doing that. They are all very grounded, they know what sport means and they remain humble. They are doing a great job.
Anything less than a bonus-point win will be disappointing against London Welsh
It is always difficult to beat Leicester at Welford Road and having come so close Gloucester will be kicking themselves.
Of course it was Freddie Burns' six penalties from six that proved the difference, it was his best game for the Tigers and against his former club. He did very well and will be pleased with the way he went.
He will now have a good run in the number 10 jersey and with Owen Williams ruled out for the season he maybe feels a bit more relaxed over things.
Gloucester were going into the game with five wins from five under their belt but this was their biggest test and an opportunity to move up the table.
It was a good time to go up there and get a scalp and they probably needed it if they want to break into the top six.
In tight games you have to take your chances and if you don't you will rue them as Gloucester are. Of course there are positives and the defence and pack are the two big ones. The pack and set-piece will be one of the big plus points of the season and they are slowly getting back that traditional foundation of Gloucester play.
They have London Welsh next and that should and will be a bonus-point win. The Exiles are gone and it must be very hard to stay motivated when you are being hammered each week. They had that bravery earlier in the season but they cannot be in good shape mentally now.
Nev is a game changer
IT'S now been confirmed that Nev Codlin has left Cinderford and he's been a brilliant servant to the club.
He's very powerful, strong and fast and when he's physically and mentally right he can be devastating.
He had the opportunity to play at a higher level when he was younger but ended up with Lydney and then Cinderford.
He hasn't done a lot recently because of the injury issues, but from my time there I know full well that when's he's in form he is a game changer.
Hartpury come up short as Ealing end their winning run
Hartpury will be disappointed after losing to Ealing even though Ealing are top of the table. But after nine wins from nine they would have gone into the game very optimistically, and conceding 6 tries will have also been a disappointment based on their recent good form.
Cinderford will be very happy after a fantastic win over Loughborough Students in a game they simply had to win. Their only disappointment will be that they didn't get a fourth try to take a bonus-point.
It was a dominant performance from the pack which stands them in good stead for the remainder of the season.
This week they have Old Albanians who are just two points above them and it could very well be a definitive game in their season. I'm growing increasingly optimistic that they will stay up, they have enough in the tank and the fixtures should be kind to them.
On the other hand Lydney are a big concern. They are now putting in decent performances, getting close on the scoreboard but not getting any reward for their endeavours.
Their quite a bit adrift now and probably have to win two games away from home now which they haven't managed to do all season.
Coney Hill beat Oakhampton in the RFU Intermediate Cup and have already been in contact with Raging Bull to get some blazers made. They must be pretty bullish about their chances and I hope they do it because it would be wonderful for rugby in Gloucestershire.
Longlevens also overcame Wessex by 40 odd points and face East Dorset in the next round of their competition.
In the Forest of Dean Combination Cup, Newent beat Drybrook which is yet another great scalp for them. Apart from three losses to Coney Hill they have beaten everyone else they have faced which is a great achievement.
Player of the week
Sergio Parisse (Italy). Even in a pack that is going backwards, Parisse manages to get on the front foot. A player that would genuinely get in any other international team.
Teams of the week
Coney Hill and Longlevens for advancing in their respective cup competitions. Both are now just two games from a final.
