Stephen Jones is likely to return against Scotland

He was plunged in at the deep end when Stephen Jones suffered a back spasm and said: "I had time to prepare myself because I knew from early in the week that Stephen was struggling."

After figuring prominently in Wales' aggressive, but short-lived, opening attacking burst, Harris inevitably succumbed to the pressure which engulfed the whole team.

But Harris came through to last the distance and emerge with all Wales' 10 points, including his first international try in union.

"It's nice to get the first try," he said while admitting that both he and Wales have a long way to go to reach the standards they desire which are, basically, the ones England possess.

"When we had the ball I thought we did some good stuff but when a team like England have that much ball you are going to run out of steam. They played exceptionally well.

"The way we started off was the way we wanted to play all the way through but things didn't go that way.

"They are an exceptional side and they kept winning the early ball. It's difficult when they keep coming and coming at you with phase after phase," he said.

Andy Marinos suffered a dislocated finger

Harris nsisted that there are positives to be gained even when you have shipped more than 50 points.

"We can take a lot out of the game, go back and work hard and hopefully improve. We have the game against Scotland in two weeks time and we must just work hard and do better."

Harris accepts he is unlikely to retain the number 10 shirt for that match - in which Wales will be without centre Andy Marinos who badly dislocated a finger - as Jones is expected to be fit.

"Stephen Jones is playing exceptionally well and if I don't get the call I won't be too disappointed as I'm still learning the game.

"All I want to do at the moment is play as many matches as I can. I know I still have a hell of a lot to learn at this game. Eventually I will get to know the position inside out and I am getting there slowly."