Rugby-England bask in warm glow of victory

By Mitch Phillips LONDON, March 12 (Reuters) - England are once again basking in the warm glow of beating one of the world's top teams and can take satisfaction from doing it in style in Sunday's 26-18 Six Nations victory over France.

What is more, the unlikely victory was secured partly on the back of a rash of new, young faces who played with the freedom and confidence that has been sorely lacking in recent years and which suddenly promises a bright future.

Coach Brian Ashton was quick to play down the significance of the result, England's first win over France since the 2003 World Cup semi-finals, but was nevertheless delighted that his young charges had taken his vision on to the pitch.

"We saw glimpses of the sort of rugby we could play but you've got to be consistent to be at the top of the world game," he said after his side scored two excellent tries and never looked like giving one up.

"I will be looking for another good performance next Saturday and further on down the line leading to the World Cup."

Next Saturday is away to Wales when, improbably, England could be going for the title. A Cardiff victory would be enough if France and Ireland failed to beat Scotland and Italy respectively earlier in the day. Otherwise England would need to make up a deficit of 29 points on the French, who play at home, and/or 25 on Ireland.

Such considerations would have seemed widely optimistic after an abject England were handed their record Six Nations defeat by Ireland two weeks ago.

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