England are still in the World Cup after last weekend's win over Samoa but what would have happened if the Pacific Islanders had been able to take their own lineout?
The best that can be said about Brian Ashton's team, for we must call it such in the short term at least, is that they were better than they had been in their last two matches.
But the victory over Samoa was not sufficiently convincing to suggest they have any chance of defeating Australia in the quarter finals.
That's assuming they get that far. Am I the only one who can see Tonga providing a stern test?
The Tongans gave South Africa and almighty scare on Saturday and forced Jake White to throw on all of his star names as they kept the match close.
Indeed had they not had a perfectly good try disallowed they could have beaten the Springboks and if they can do that, they are more than capable of seeing off the worst England team since the 1970s.
To me the Wilkinson/Barkley axis in midfield just doesn't have the necessary balance. Neither of them is likely to break through an organised defence.
England have to get away from the pick and drive rubbish into which they inevitably lapse when the going gets tough.
At least the back three is starting to take shape. Josh Lewsey and Paul Sackey are in their best positions and if Jason Robinson gets fit, they will have one of the best trios in the competition. Trouble is, do they know how to use them?