ENGLAND found themselves in the sights of iconic Scottish coach Jim Telfer before the Six Nations.

Stuart Lancaster's side were labelled as "too arrogant, too pretentious and too condescending" by the 73-year-old who went on to prove himself a lover of stereotypes by calling Wales lazy.

The two countries clearly didn't take the barbs to heart after setting up a title decider at the Millennium Stadium.

Gethin Jenkins' boys came up trumps in that showdown but could do with learning from their English rivals.

Whether it's arrogance or confidence, Stuart Lancaster's side have no mental hang-ups when they go up against Australia, South Africa or New Zealand.

They don't put the Sanzar nations up on a pedestal and as a result they have claimed their scalps (although it's seven years since they beat the Springboks).

England flew into the All Blacks earlier this month; they didn't go 17-3 down and shrug their shoulders, they fought back and led going into the last quarter. And they don't just expect to beat Australia, they want to do it convincingly.

Of course it's easier to have that approach when they haunted by the past. Ireland's loss to New Zealand was evidence of how the weight of history and ending hoodoos can be a team's downfall.

Skipper Sam Warburton copped some flak in the South African media for his comments after the 24-15 defeat to the Springboks in the autumn opener.

"We've been working too hard – we're too good. I'm expecting three out of four for this autumn," said the flanker.

"I wouldn't have been jumping for joy (if we'd beaten South Africa) because that's what should just happen.

"That's what we should expect. We shouldn't be bouncing around and celebrating like it's Christmas."

Given Wales' record against the big three under Warren Gatland – played 22, won one, lost 21 – perhaps the skipper is telling a bit of a porky pie, the champagne would surely flow.

But they have earned the right to be a bit cocky by being the best in the northern hemisphere, as proved by their back-to-back Six Nations crowns.

There is nothing wrong with Warburton and his charges feeling that they are better than their opposite number; the self-confidence that they are going to come out on top is what makes them the best.

The problem is that Wales have talked the talk without walking the walk.

Just four members of the 23 survive from the last victory against the Wallabies in 2008 (Jenkins, Richard Hibbard, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones).

Countless times we have stressed the importance of taking the next step but, with the 2015 World Cup approaching, it really is time to just do it.

Wales need an arrogant/confident/brash streak if they are to thrive against the big three and that will only come with wins.

England were awful when they turned over the Wallabies at Twickenham on the first weekend of November. How Warren Gatland would love to toast such an ugly success.

THINGS looked grim when Jonathan Davies and Adam Jones were helped from the field against the Springboks but Warren Gatland must be delighted with what has followed.

The Wales boss is always quick to talk about World Cup cycles and he has benefited from having to fling in some new boys.

Rhodri Jones is no Adam but he has done admirably against Argentina and Tonga, especially in the loose, while strong-scrummaging Scarlet Samson Lee has also been blooded.

And there will be some real midfield talent in Wales' ranks by the time 2015 comes around with Jamie Roberts and Davies joined by Scott Williams, Cory Allen, Owen Williams, Ashley Beck and the currently uncapped Dragons teenager Jack Dixon.

Plenty of selection headaches lie ahead.