SARrugby.com

 One seismic win over New Zealand has flipped England from a work in progress to a major force in world rugby, ramping up expectation levels and making Stuart Lancaster's side the team to beat in the Six Nations.

"The trick now is to build on that All Black performance and get the consistency we need to win at the highest level," Lancaster said. "And there's no better place to prove yourself than the Six Nations."

And can England handle the increased pressure after its demolition of the All Blacks?

"England, with their performance against New Zealand and three home games, they are the favourites," France coach Philippe Saint-Andre said.

The appointment of the unheralded Lancaster as coach after England's troubled World Cup campaign in New Zealand has been a masterstroke by the oft-troubled Rugby Football Union.

Players now play for the jersey, misbehaviour among the squad has been stamped out and a string of talented youngsters such as Joe Launchbury, Owen Farrell and Alex Goode have been given their head.

The result? A second-place finish in the 2012 Six Nations, competitive performances in a series loss in South Africa in June and then that famous win at Twickenham, where New Zealand was blown away.

Like last year, renowned figures from the sporting world have been summoned to speak to England's squad before the start of the tournament, explaining what it means to represent your country.

This time round, it was the turn of former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss and Tony Minichello, the coach of Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis.

"Speaking to people at grassroots rugby, people are optimistic with what we are doing, trying to take a young group of players through to the World Cup," Lancaster said. "We are still on that path . we've talked about hitting the ground running in the Six Nations."

in terms of what of the 6nats though, england should be favourites for the 6nats.

off topic, odriscoll did a wicked pass for zebo to score, awesome stuff from the irish living legend.

@hakwa, bro u need to play fantasy rugby this year and help bolster the numbers in the sarugby.com ;league, :o) are u planning on playing this year???

 hi Sasu, I'll think about it - don't want to make promises I can't keep! You have a good one!

@hakwa san,

all good bro, ill keep my fingers crossed though, :o)
 

Hakwa well done on admitting England did a "demolition of the All Blacks"? My good friend brycy struggles with reality at times and simply could not face the facts.

I made England favourites to win the 6 nations and with Italy beating France their chances rise. They are a young side and the chances are they will get better. They have a good all round side.

The plain facts are simple - the wee abs need to find some forwards as the were outmuscled by the England men much like we did in Dunedin.

I warned the kiwis about this problem but all to no avail! 

England have beaten the kiws at 15 and 7 man codes. Its getting embarrasing! Heck we beat England with second stringers and players way beyond exhaustion. Kiwis must prepare for a long season?

Viva the Mighty Boks!

 England is the best in the World right now, better than the Boks and the Wobblies!

The Boks beat England 3 times last year with an unlucky draw. I think them beating the All Blacks was the result of a long year for all SH teams (plus the All Blacks were without Dan Carter the best All Black ever).

 Carter did play for All blacks vs England last year. He missed a few tackles when the line was breached.

The All Black forwards were dominated and the ruck area and this is most likely way to beat them. 

I thought Cruden was playing :S 

My mistake but he's still the greatest All Black ever in my opinion, real game changer.

I rate Cruden more than Dan the man Carter.