FROM autumn strength to winter weakness – all eyes were on the set piece at the Millennium Stadium last night.

A Welsh scrum shorn of world class Lions Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones against an English lineout devoid of Tom Croft and Courtney Lawes.

The hosts have got used to living without Jenkins of late – 12 of loosehead deputy Paul James’ 18 caps were won in 2010 – but Craig Mitchell was being thrown in at the deep end.

The number three trotted out onto the pitch with four caps to his name, four more than England flanker Tom Wood.

The 6ft 5ins Northampton man got the call to add some athletic ability to the heavyset visiting pack and provide a welcome option at the tail of the lineout.

It was Shane, Hook and Stoddart versus Cueto, Foden and Ashton. Yet those with cauliflower ears were quick to point out that their chances of making an impact would diminish in the event of an evening to forget for James-Rees-Mitchell or Sheridan-Hartley-Cole.

In the build-up the respective camps had been emphasising their strengths but, like a balding man with a pony tail, there was no getting away from their shortcomings.

Which meant that the 74,500 in the stadium and millions watching on television couldn’t wait for that first knock-on or kick into touch.

They didn't have to wait long and it was Wales’ perceived weakness that was first under the microscope.

Just 39 seconds had passed when Ben Foden sent Stephen Jones sprawling, referee Alain Rolland stopping play to let the fly-half get some medical help.

England won a free-kick for a quick engage and opted for another scrum – let's show who's boss said the front eight.

However, it was Wales that struck the first pyscological blow when they battered – and there really was no other word for it – their counterparts.

Dylan Hartley popped up, Dan Cole and Andrew Sheridan headed backwards.

The battles were to continue but Wales had stated that they were no mugs – the pressure was on for England to do likewise at the lineout.

They didn't have to wait long for their test to arrive when James Hook pinned the visitors inside their own 22 in the ninth-minute.

In a cathedral of rugby the English, with a Deacon (Louis) at the front of their lineout, took centre stage.

The congregation didn’t exactly hold its breath as Saint Dylan of Northampton (via Rotorua in New Zealand) approached the oche.

Fired by Gatland’s grenade that questioned the temperament of the England number two, the crowd made one heck of a racket as they backed their Kiwi hooker against the enemy’s.

A couple of deep breaths and Hartley fired it straight to lock Tom Palmer in the middle. He repeated the trick mintes later to show that it was no fluke.

After Wales missed a pair of early penalties, Hartley did his job with the minimum of fuss and England had a foothold in the game.

That he didn't lose a single lineout (the sole Wales steal coming in the final minute from replacement Steve Thompson's throw) goes to show that he isn't easily rattled.

In a stadium that was sheltered from the howling wind perhaps the prematch talk was just hot air.