Smart, quick and inventive - unfortunately, these are not words that could be used to describe England's worryingly inept performance on Friday night versus South Africa.

England lost in every facet of play and were comprehensively and decisively found wanting in the tackle, ruck, maul and at restarts. South Africa's innovation and pace made a worrying comparison to England's lack of dynamism and power and this resulted in a game that was a horror show for many England fans.

Friday's game was not a close affair and Fourie du Preez's performance summed up the difference between the two sides.

Where he displayed vision, tenacity, daring, speed, power and skill, England merely found themselves smashed in the tackle, shuffling sideways in defence, forced to commit numbers to the breakdown and therefore left with limited options in attack. England found themselves on the back foot from the outset and the 36 - 0 score line was not a surprise at the final whistle.

Throughout a difficult evening, there was one player who stood out for England as a shining example to his teammates. Jason Robinson turned back the clock in Paris and showed some of the old sparkle that makes him an inspiration to those around him.

He took the fight to the South Africans with his endeavour and commitment and it was only once his hamstring let him down that he had to make an untimely departure. Bloodied but not bowed at the end of the match, he made it clear (and has again since), that he has not given up on taking a further part in this Rugby World Cup.

Having played with Jason over the years, I know that he wouldn't stay if he doesn't feel he could make it, either for the all-important clash with Tonga or alternatively a World Cup quarter-final, whoever that may be against.

Robinson aside, if you play as badly as a team in two successive games against the USA and then South Africa, you don't tend to keep the same side and Brian Ashton has again rung the changes.

He has no other choice, otherwise he will be in danger of losing the plot.

You've got to keep mixing and matching, searching for a formula that works and trying to ensure that the talent that is undoubtedly within the group can come to the fore.

I know England will desperately be looking for units within the team that function and allow the side to perform and the return of both Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley is sure to bolster the side.

Alongside Robinson, Barkley showed in the opening game that he is the man in the most amount of form and will look to get the England back line moving from inside centre. With Jonny's world class distribution, you hope that a youthful looking set of England backs will get the ball and be able to make an impact against the physical South Pacific islanders from Samoa.

Often touted as dangerous outsiders, Samoa will be keen to bounce back from defeat against Tonga, and will be looking to exploit a lack of confidence and supposed disarray in the England camp. They are aggressive, confrontational, physical and devastating in loose play, none more so than the Tuilagi brothers, about who Leicester fans will know a bit.

England will need to be on their guard if they aren't to slip up and face an embarrassing end to the defence of their title