What a frustrating game.

We raced ahead in the first 20 minutes and played probably our best rugby of the season, but then our possession dried up and we had to put in a sterling defensive performance.

No disrespect to the Italians, but we set ourselves the target of scoring five tries because we felt we had not put together any attacking play of any note so far in the tournament.

We were surprised to go ahead so quickly. All the right noises were being made and we were all focused on what we had to do, but then we started to lose possession and the line-out wasn't functioning – something which I am very disappointed about because I am in charge of that.

I think we just lost the structure of the game. We were trying to score the try as soon as we got the ball rather than building and moving slowly up the pitch.

Everyone was disappointed with the way things went and the mood in the dressing room after the game was very low.

Having said that, in terms of the tournament as a whole, it is probably a much better score for us.

We would have liked to have played a lot better, but if we had reached 80-odd points then we would have got nothing out of the game and would have gone into the match against Scotland having had all the possession. At least we had 60 minutes of pretty quality defending - and were given a real fright.

It was encouraging to see how well the new faces in the side performed. It's good that we have players who can not only come in but can add something different as well. A great example of that was Josh Lewsey who stepped in for Jason Robinson.

I thought Ollie Smith was absolutely fantastic and changed the game back in our favour when he came on.

Obviously picking up a few more injuries is not great at this stage of the tournament. I don't think Jonny Wilkinson is too bad, however, I'm not sure about Charlie Hodgson, who came on as replacement and was taken off with an injury to his knee a few minutes later.

I injured my elbow in the first half when I made a tackle and could have finished the game, but was substituted after about 10 minutes into the second half.

Despite our disappointment, it's all stacking up for a Grand Slam decider against Ireland in Dublin - but we have got a massive test before then in Scotland in two weeks' time.

Hopefully Clive Woodward will have a full compliment of players to choose from come match day and England can really attack those last two games.