Moving In The Right Direction?

No baffling mathematic equations. No hardcore number-crunching. For England, it's simple - Win and you're in.

Victory over Tonga on Friday evening, and a place in the last-eight is assured. The optimism - which for a while was replaced by furious head-scratching - is slowly returning. This England side are steadily withdrawing from the brink of abject failure.

Qualification has been far from the formality predicted by some, more of a laboured slog through the murky waters of uncertainty. A lacklustre performance against the USA, and the 'back on track' victory over Samoa came either side of a shocker against the Springboks. Has Mr Ashton steadied the ship?

The answer is a resounding yes.

Like it or not, this has been a World Cup of transition for England. A much needed jolt to the system for many. The game has evolved since 2003 and the English mindset hasn't. Only now - under Ashton - are things moving in the right direction, albeit slowly.

And so onto Tonga. Yet another test of hearts and minds, and a dose of the physicality similar to that served up by the Samoans last week. After being edged out by South Africa last time out, they have another chance to crash the party.

The main threat lies in their forward unit, who allied size with speed and can attack with flair. Impressive Back-Rower Finau Maka is the embodiment of the Tongan ethos - powerful yet tenacious, reckless yet reliable. Such contradictions add to the almost cryptic nature of the task facing England.

Once again Ashton has tinkered with the side, although this time it is done with a clear vision. The fact that Matt Stevens is preferred to Phil Vickery in the Front Row indicates that players are now being picked according to the here-and-now as opposed to the way back when. Tom Rees once again misses out, but Lewis Moody adds some much needed dynamism to the Back Row.

The Backline remains untouched. The Gomarsall/Wilkinson axis will surely become the number one combination at 9 and 10. Lack of size in the Centres is a worry, but both Tait and Barkley are elusive and intelligent enough to cause problems for even the most well-drilled of defences.

England have rediscovered their ability to tough it out, and perform for the full 80 minutes. Victory is far from assured, but more than possible.