Over 80,000 spectators in the first week of August tells you that there is nothing much wrong with the marketing department at Twickenham where a rusty England just held off a fitter and faster moving Wales by 23-19. Wales chose not to kick at goal with five penalties seeking instead to gain the double advantage by kicking for touch and then hoping to win the lineout close to the England line. It nearly succeeded but as the score line suggests in a world cup match points on the board matter....In contrast a frustrated Jonny Wilkinson seeing he hadn't many other options dropped two goals at crucial points in the game to keep the score ticking along.
I was a guest of Colin Herridge, my co-author of Rugby 2011, and we sat with the RFU Council members.