What a difference a win makes. Thirty points and three tries against Wales in front of a patriotic crowd and that patch of red on the England jersey suddenly looks all the more rosier.

The perfect way to celebrate 100 years of England Rugby at Twickenham.

The most important match in any Six Nations campaign is always the first and England have come through it successfully.

The challenge now is to build on this and, if the performance on Saturday is anything to go by, I fully expect Martin Johnson’s men to be in with a shout come the final match against the French in Paris on March 20.

Injuries will no doubt play a key part in this year’s competition.

While England were fortunate to welcome back some pivotal figures, Wales quickly discovered how tricky it can be to replace several of your first choice 15.

They dearly missed their Lions front rowers Matthew Rees and Gethin Jenkins.

Yet, while injuries will inevitably play a part, ill-discipline is inexcusable, and Warren Gatland was spot on when he claimed that Alun Wyn Jones’s yellow card for a stupid trip on Dylan Hartley decided the match.

In the 10 minutes that lock Wyn Jones was off the field, England racked up a quick-fire 17 points and took the game away from their Welsh opponents.

At 3-3, the teams had traded just a single penalty, but Wyn Jones’s rush of blood to the head allowed England to seize the initiative.

Tries for James Haskell and Danny Care, either side of half-time, compounded Welsh misery and Wyn Jones returned to the field with his team facing an uphill battle, behind 20-3.

With 15 on the field, Wales forced their way back into the game with two tries of their own.

The unlikely Adam Jones finished off a sweeping passing move and then, with 10 minutes to go, the impressive James Hook, playing out of position at outside centre, burst past four English defenders to touch down.

The try moved Wales to within three points of England and all of a sudden Twickenham was feeling a little edgy.

Thankfully, the nerves didn’t last long.

As Wales threatened again, an Armitage interception followed by some great back play from Matthew Tait set up man-of-the-match Haskell to seal the win – cue relief all around rugby HQ.

Doubts were raised last year when Haskell decided to move to France to play in the pink of Stade Francais. I was particularly upset with the move, having played with James at Wasps.

He’s a player of undoubted talent and while I was disappointed to see him leave the club, I’m glad that his rugby hasn’t suffered as a result.

I thought the England pack were in control for most of the game last weekend and that’s a great sign moving forward.

The returning Nick Easter was impressive and Tim Payne solid in the front row. The lineout was disciplined and Steve Borthwick really did lead by example.

A lot has been made about his right to the captaincy but he deserves a lot of credit for the way he conducted himself and lead his country on Saturday.

Next up for England it’s Italy in Rome. The Azzurri put in a spirited display against Ireland in their opening fixture and, if there is one thing you can be sure about Italy, it’s that they never roll over.

One man who will be particularly keen to impress is Mauro Bergamasco.

A year ago Mauro endured a humiliating experience at Twickenham, when he was drafted in as a makeshift scrum-half due to injuries.

After some woeful passing and shocking positional play, he was replaced at half-time. Thankfully, from an Italian perspective, Mauro will be back in his favoured position of flanker come Sunday afternoon.

England will head to Rome with plenty of confidence yet it is important they don’t get carried away. If anyone is best placed to keep their feet on the ground it’s Martin Johnson.

Consistency in a tournament like the Six Nations is key and I’m confident Martin will make sure England consolidate their victory against Wales with a win in Rome.

From an England point of view, it’s a case of one down and four to go. Lets hope we’re looking at two wins out of two come the end of the weekend.

Lawrence Dallaglio is rugby ambassador for Greene King IPA, the Official Beer of England Rugby. To find your nearest Official England Rugby Supporter Pub visit greenekingipa.co.uk