"Horrible watch" - Will Greenwood's brutal verdict on England's first two games

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Following another halftime deficit, England managed to secure a hard-fought victory against a spirited Wales side during the Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

Greenwood highlighted the recurring halftime challenges, reminiscent of their previous match in Rome. "In Felix Jones, England has the blitz-defence mastermind. The bloke has won two World Cups with South Africa, banging the drum for this system. The issue that England has is that they are not the Springboks," Greenwood stated in his column for The Telegraph.

The victory over Wales saw Fraser Dingwall's crucial try and George Ford's penalty securing the win, but once again, England's defense faced scrutiny, prompting Greenwood to foresee challenges against Scotland's Finn Russell at Murrayfield.

He pointed out the distinct playing styles between England and South Africa, emphasizing that England lacks players with the abrasive qualities of Springbok midfielders. "But in England, it is not. This is going to take time and it will often look ugly. England do not have a De Allende nor a Kriel. But it was not just a midfield thing," Greenwood explained.

The former center highlighted defensive lapses from players like Ollie Chessum and Will Stuart, stating, "if someone is too slow off the line, like Will Stuart for Alex Mann’s try, or even too quick – like Chessum in Rome – then you’re toast."

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Expressing concern about the upcoming challenges, Greenwood noted, "Right now, Finn Russell will be licking his lips at the thought of taking on this defense in just under a fortnight’s time; so, too, Jamison Gibson-Park two weeks after."

Despite the defensive struggles, Greenwood stressed the importance of sticking with the current system for long-term gains. "The temptation would be to return to the traditional drift defense, but I’m not sure what that will achieve. It would be a stop-gap, a short-term fix, but we know that Borthwick and Jones are building for the long term," he said.

"In the meantime, defensively, it might be a horrible watch, just as the two Italy tries were, and just as Mann’s score was. But perseverance and patience will be key – as will scoring tries," Greenwood concluded.

Looking ahead to the next match against Scotland at Murrayfield in two weeks, we identify four players who may need to step out of the starting team.

Evening Standard 6/10: "Showed his inexperience at the level for his yellow card, but recovered as the game progressed."

Telegraph 5/10: "Struggled to match the heights of last week, losing the ball in contact deep inside the Welsh 22 before conceding a penalty and yellow card for killing a maul."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "A great debut last week but not so good this time around. The yellow card was needless as all he had to do was hold them up as he had got onto the ball."

RUCK 6/10: "Collapsed the maul as Wales trundle towards the goal-line. Awarded a yellow card as Wales get a penalty try. Provided a new role as a line out jumper at the back. Spilt the ball after 47 minute re-start. Didnt have the best game to build on his MOTM performance v Italy, but put in strong hits around the pitch. Off for Alex Coles (72)"

RUCK 6/10: "Didn't get back onside following the Welsh restart and gave away a penalty. Out of position at 27 minutes, lucky that George North opted to kick with a big gap ahead of him. Flattened by George North, as he missed the tackle at 33 minutes."

Telegraph 5/10: "The try covered a multitude of sins - from George North running straight through him, to not holding his line before passing to Daly."

Planet Rugby 6/10: "Not a huge carrying threat but a smart operator. Took his try well and is a good distributor on the gain line, although he needs to show more in the rest of the Six Nations."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Much quieter than last weekend. Didn’t really get the opportunity to run but he was a useful chasing option."

Rugby Pass 6/10: "Unable to follow up his livewire Stadio Olimpico effort with another eye-catching display. Still had some good moments, namely his scramble defence."

Guardian 5/10: "A try-saving tackle on Josh Adams was a highlight but denied chances to repeat the attacking threat shown in Rome."

Rugby Pass 6/10: "Didn’t shirk his tackle load with England under the first-half pump and had a lively second-half start before exiting on 52 minutes."

Rugby Dump 5/10: "Hauled off in the 50th minute after struggling to impose his mountable size over the young welsh pack."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "The scrum was not really a factor while he was on the field thanks to some smart (possibly underhand) tactics from the Welsh."

RUCK 6/10: "Given a talking to by the ref at 14 minutes, as he and the Wales tight-head jostled at multiple scrum re-sets. Gave away a scrum penalty for not pushing straight at 15, but regathered his composure as the scrum battle progressed."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Penalised for the scrum penalty when England went with just seven players at a set-piece in the lead-up to the first Welsh try. He then contributed to the hole that the visitors burst through for their second try by going too low and not preventing the Tommy Reffell offload. Another subbed off 12 minutes into the second half."