By Phil Harlow

Jenkins was under pressure after Wales lost their first four matches

Wales prop Chris Horsman said critics should lay off head coach Gareth Jenkins after his side's 27-18 win over England salvaged their Six Nations.

Jenkins was criticised in the Welsh media after Wales lost their previous four games, but his players produced a top-class display to beat England.

"The coaching staff have been magnificent," said Horsman.

"Gareth has stayed very positive and loyal, and you can see his stamp of rugby coming into our style of play."

Horsman, who powered his way over the line for Wales' second try at the Millennium Stadium, said the contribution of forwards coach Robyn McBride had been key to the team's turnaround against England.

"Robin's really stamping his authority on the forwards, and I think you can see quite a bit of 'dog' in our pack now," he added.

We've got Australia in the summer, and that won't be easy, but we're heading in the right direction Chris Horsman

"Look at someone like Alun Wyn Jones. I still don't believe he's 21. The guy's immense - he's in his first full season of Test rugby and he was leading from the front like an experienced international.

"I don't use this term lightly, but Martyn Williams is a world-class number seven. And if there's a harder-working lock than Ian Gough, I'd like to see him. He's immense in the tackle and has a great work-rate."

Horsman said he understood why Wales' players and coaches had come in for criticism.

"We realise that the supporters are just as disappointed as the players when we lose - that's what makes playing for Wales so special," he said.

"We don't mind the criticism, because we criticise ourselves within the squad. But we haven't been taking each other apart, we've stayed very positive.

"It was perceived from outside as a brave call by Gareth to stick with the same players to play England. But if you look at our previous performances, we have been building - it's easier to say that now we've got a win, but it's true.

"And you could see how much the win meant to the fans and to the players.

"It's all positives now because we've won a game - this is where we come from as Welsh players, we understand that."

Horsman, who has twice beaten cancer, said Wales had been dogged by bad luck in their Six Nations campaign.

"When Harry Ellis scored England's first try against us, it was all about the bounce of the ball, and that summed up our tournament," he said.

"We've not had the luck of the bounce all season.

"It's been a hard seven weeks. I've barely seen my family in that time. You don't mind doing that, but when you don't get the win it's hard.

"We've got Australia in the summer, and that won't be easy, but we're heading in the right direction."