Taking a rose-tinted look at tonight's game.
We scored 2 tries and conceded 1. 90% of the time, the team scoring more tries wins. Ill discipline is far easier to fix than a weak defence or impotent attack.
Set plays are being repeated. I think we have used 3/4 different Lineout calls across both games, surely this won't be the case at RWC and first phase ball will be secured more reliably. Backs moves are also being repeated, I think, to the same effect.
All RWC games are played at home, where, amongst other things, we can trust the pitch to hold up.
We finished both halves by far the stronger team and looked more dangerous the more phases we built. Using French as comparators we are aerobically fitter.
In RWC we won't be bringing twelvetrees off the bench... (sorry, cheap shot)
I know I'm ignoring a lot and bending truths here. Point is, I don't think that this scoreline means we won't do well at the world cup. Watching that game I'd be more worried as an Irish fan than an English one.
I can see England V France in semi final and I'd back us to win.