By Bryn Palmer
BBC Sport at Twickenham |
 Cueto powers his way to the first try |
Wing Mark Cueto believes England's backs have answered their critics with Saturday's six-try salvo against Wales. Cueto set England on their way with a superb try in the opening quarter from a set move, his 10th in 12 Tests.
"We didn't set the world on fire last year so you expect some criticism, but it was nice to prove to everyone we are capable of doing it," he said.
"The forwards were outstanding and gave us the platform to play. It was a great step in the right direction."
England showed their potency with a variety of scores, with Cueto cutting an incisive line through midfield onto Jamie Noon's off-load for the opener.
 |  Time together is telling now, the combinations are working well |
The pack showed its power as Lewis Moody scored from a driving maul from a line-out and Lawrence Dallaglio charged over from a close-range scrum. But the second-half tries by Mike Tindall - worked into space by Charlie Hodgson, Noon and Tom Voyce - and Voyce's angled run onto an inside pass from replacement Andy Goode confirmed the impression of a backline resurgence.
"By no means did we expect the game to go the way it did, but we were confident of what we could do," Cueto added.
"It was almost as if we were the only ones who knew we were capable of it.
"But this core of players has been together for 12 months now, we are getting used to playing with each other and it showed out there. "We only had three days of preparation for this game but time together over the last year is telling now and combinations are working well.
"We are well chuffed with the result but it is only one game. We have got three away games now and we have to go to Italy and do a job there."
England are likely to keep change to a minimum but await a fitness report on full-back Josh Lewsey, forced off with a damaged shoulder joint in the first half.
Cueto was also in the wars but is confident he will be ready for the encounter in Rome next Saturday.
"I got a knee in the back and it is a bit sore but fingers crossed it will be alright for next week," he added.
MMIX
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