A strong statement and a strong start failed to propel England into expansive expression according to Richard Williams in The Observer.
"There was a special cheer for Jonny Wilkinson when he was named as a replacement over the public address system 10 minutes before last night's kick-off, a touching demonstration that the fans in St George costumes and England replica shirts are unlikely ever to forget their debt to the former golden boy, the repository and concretiser of so many of their rugby dreams.
"But now even Martin Johnson recognises that time has moved on, and for the opening 10 minutes in Saint‑Denis it seemed that the manager's much examined selectorial gambit had indeed been symbolic of a desire to put behind them the tiresome anti-rugby played by his side over the past six months.
"Such is the cynicism surrounding England's efforts under their present regime that when Toby Flood, Wilkinson's replacement, proclaimed a wholehearted commitment to expansive and expressive rugby on the eve of the match, it was tempting to assume that Johnson had invited him to sell the French the most outrageous pre-match dummy."
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