According to the telegraph we have the following reasons to be cheeful about the shambles that is “England Rugby World Cup 2007″.

Jonny Wilkinson is poised to return to the starting line up against the Samoans, which should at least guarantee that England trouble the scoreboard this time out.

And there’s more. Jason Robinson, perhaps the only man in white to emerge from Friday’s besting by the Boks with any credit, could return for England’s final Pool match with Tonga.

Whilst I’m pleased Jonny is back and I wish Jason a speedy recovery, I’m not “cheerful” as yet. The way I see it, Jonny, whilst being a world class player can’t single handedly revive a team this bad. Whilst warming up for my hockey game the day after the South Africa game I overhead the following quote, which I think sums up the state of English rugby quite well.

All we have is slow ball for slow backs.

No matter how good Jonny is he can’t inject pace all on his own. Also I don’t actually remember Farrell missing any kicks against the boks. Whilst Jonny is often deadly accurate in front of goal he has to have the opportunity to have a pop..

I’m pleased Jason looks likely to be able to play again, but unless we buck our ideas up, he will be playing in a meaningless game with nothing to prove…

I’m all for being optimistic, but lets be honest. Something fundamental has to change for us to have a hope. Quick ball for quick (creative) backs (with a killer instinct) would be a start!

Still, I’ll be there hoping that something will change, watching anyway. You can see the next England game on TV by using the Rugby TV Schedule