CHARLIE Hodgson has had to do a lot of growing up in the last three weeks, but the Sale Sharks fly-half can at least hold up his head after a disastrous adventure Down Under by the World Champions.

In the continuing absence of England hero Jonny Wilkinson, his understudy had a huge responsibility under intense pressure.

The Halifax youngster was given a thorough examination but demonstrated that he can cope when the odds are against him.

Even if his tackling is some way from being in the Wilkinson class, his abilities as a playmaker might one day be given full vent if only England could come up with an attacking backline of high calibre.

Nobody, other than the one-eyed, will have been surprised that England lost all three tests two against New Zealand and one, on Saturday, at the hands of World Cup runners-up Australia.

Humiliate

The England side, for a variety of reasons including retirement, injury and sheer mental and physical fatigue, was always going to struggle against two powerful rugby nations, with home advantage who, also for a variety of reasons, desperately wanted to humiliate the reigning World Champions.

England still hold that title and will do so for another three years and, while the All Blacks may have regained top spot in the international rankings, one has to remember that they have only held the World title once and that was back in 1987.

They failed Sydney last November because they got their selection wrong. They left too many experienced players at home but, while youngsters can set the game alight on their day, you would always put your money on experience when the chips are down. When the Aussies gave them a game in the semi-finals they didn't know what to do but England relied on a wealth of exprerience and, while they actually peaked ahead of the competition, they were able to hang on to take a prize that had eluded every northern hemisphere nation.

It was obvious long before the players made their triumphant parade around London that the side was going to break up and the problem facing coach Sir Clive Woodward now is building a new side in time for the next World Cup in France in 2007. Hopefully, Hodgson will be a part of that process, regardless of whether or not Wilkinson returns to the fray after surgery. Chris Jones, too, should be involved even though he was discarded after the first half in the opening test against New Zealand. He has more growing and learning to do but, by 2007, he should be the finished product.

Andy Titterrell, the Sharks' tearaway hooker, finally earned his first cap and only his lack of size may prevent him from establishing himself in the England side.

We have some quick youngsters in the Zurich Premiership but we lack players who frighten well organised defences at a higher level.