Johnson must think again after botching Italian job

Having barely scraped a pass mark in their Italian exam, England need all the help they can get if they are to survive a potentially painful lesson in Welsh on Saturday.

So the fact international player of the year Shane Williams could miss the Millennium Stadium clash after injuring his foot in the 26-13 win over Scotland offers a flicker of hope to England.

England have injury worries of their own but they are not the only concerns for Martin Johnson, given his side's performance in the 36-11 win over Italy.

Although England managed five tries the margin of victory was thanks to the visitors contributing to their own downfall, particularly with makeshift scrum-half Mauro Bergamasco putting in the worst No9 display at the home of English rugby for many years.

Back injuries forced Mike Tindall and Ugo Moyne out of the match, while an ankle problem sidelined Danny Care and all three were badly missed.

England lacked Tindall's defence busting charges, Monye's electric pace and Care's ability to increase the tempo of proceedings with his eye for a gap and tap-and-go mentality.

While Harry Ellis made a commendable two-try return as Care's replacement, he cannot match the Harlequins No9's form, which is not surprising as this was only his second game after a six-week ban for a dangerous tackle.

Ellis was given a much easier ride by the England pack, who finally found the proper combination of technique and ruthless execution to remove stray bodies from near the ball.

Nick Kennedy's line-out execellence and impact in the loose, plus a more dynamic showing from James Haskell, proved England have forwards capable of living with the intensely physical assault Wales mount.

However, captain Steve Borthwick travelled backwards too often, while Andrew Sheridan, the loosehead prop, only added to his list of "average" displays. England need the bulk and power of Simon Shaw, the Wasps lock, against Wales, but team manager Johnson has already given Borthwick his backing for the Six Nations and Kennedy is playing too well to be dropped.

Flanker Steffon Armitage did not make the impact he wanted at No7 and with Wales possessing the outstanding Martyn Williams in that role, this is another big call for Johnson to make.

There is a strong case for picking Wasps flankers Haskell and Joe Worsley either side of Nick Easter and using Armitage off the bench late on.

Of more concern is the England back division with Andy Goode, the outside half, setting the tone for an attacking unit that was awarded only " a pass" by Brian Smith, the backs coach.

As Scotland proved in the second half against Wales, you have to stand flat and play right in the faces of the Welsh defence, not sit back in the pocket.

Goode can play that way but lacks the basic foot speed required and that is why Toby Flood needs to be recalled after recovering from his calf injury.

Johnson will tell his team that they are about to face " the acid test" of their individual and collective rugby wills at the Millennium Stadium. By tomorrow's selection announcement, we will know just how brave Johnson has been.