What a perfect start!

What a perfect start for Brian Ashton's England! In my first column I predicted that England would win and win well, but even I was surprised by the manner in which we set about Scotland. Once again, there's a good, happy buzz around Twickenham.

Not many people thought Jonny would be back to his very best on his first outing but I knew he was capable of a performance like that by the way he's been in training. He never really looked like missing a kick at the posts and his creativity in open play was outstanding. I knew he was capable of putting in a performance like that and the crowd really loved it and had something to cheer about.

Scotland held their own after about 20 minutes but after that it was pretty much one way traffic.

Jonny and Harry Ellis were outstanding and could have shared the man of the match award. It's the best I've seen Harry play in an England jersey and it was a pity that we couldn't get a couple more people on the end of his breaks. His kicking and decision making was spot on. When you've got a nine and ten dominating like that, the rest of the game clicks into place nicely.

'Harry Ellis was outstanding'

Scotland's defence was pretty good for the first 15 to 20 minutes but out wide when they were stretched they didn't look like they were going to have the answers and they just didn't have the same kind of penetration England had in attack.

I said that Jason Robinson is still one of the best in the world in one on one situations and he certainly proved that against Scotland, giving Sean Lamont a torrid time.

Andy Farrell didn't make any mistakes and had an efficient game although I thought he could have used his left foot a little more often. Scotland didn't really run at him too often so his defence wasn't really tested and when you've got guys like Jonny and Harry dominating in attack, it makes life easy for an inside centre.

Good as the performance was, there are always areas you can improve on. I thought we struggled at times to get out of our own half when Scotland were on the offensive. We could have spread it a little wider at times or get into a couple of rucks then kick second or third phase. I thought the variation was very good and when we played at pace and picked up the tempo, Scotland couldn't live with us. They were out on their feet at the end.

So next up it's Italy, who were dealt a thrashing by France. People will expect us to do likewise but I don't think there's a danger of us taking them too lightly. There's just too much experience in that side now and if Jonny Wilkinson played like that after three years out, it's frightening to think what's to come.

The Italians will come at us hard and may surprise us by the way they play but with the expertise and experience we have I think we'll have far too much in the locker room for Italy. So England by 15-20 again next time!

I would have liked to have played for the Saxons against Italy A and the shoulder's fine but my back seized up a little on Wednesday. I'm a little disappointed but I will be back to play for the Saxons against Ireland A and get myself back in the picture.

Mike Catt