Vickery's men are heading in right direction

England really picked their game up in the opening quarter-final against Australia. They had a lot more direction about them.

They played to their strengths and attacked the weaknesses of Australia. They attacked them at the set-piece and the breakdown, and they gave Wallabies scrum-half George Gregan a tough ride.

Jonny Wilkinson isn't currently at his best, but he gives England good field position and direction - and he also knocks the goals over.

England were so dominant in the scrum, it was incredible.

Wales tried to have a go at Australia in that area last month, but Andrew Sheridan was tremendous in the front row and they just kept on going at Australia. There was no respite.

Defensively, England also stepped up. They were far more aggressive than they had been, and you could see by the players' reaction at the final whistle just what it all meant to them.

It is outstanding to have come back like they did following a 36-0 thumping against South Africa only three weeks earlier.

After the Springboks game, England said themselves they were totally inept, but they are creating chances now and once the pack were on the front foot against Australia, it really was solid World Cup rugby.

There was nothing flash about it, and you take your points when they are available.

As for New Zealand versus France,the Kiwis were walking around on Sunday morning in a trance. They couldn't believe what they had seen the night before.

New Zealand showed a lack of composure, and if there was any indication of an injury to Dan Carter before the game, I was amazed they didn't include Aaron Mauger in their 22.