Bill Bridge: Display in defeat suggests the worst may be over for Johnson's line-up

But it at least provided us with a hint of hope, a reason to look forward to next season and next year's Rugby World Cup with optimism rather than foreboding.

There was nothing to get over-excited about, rather a suggestion that a corner has not so much been turned as identified by the driver; England are no longer clattering into brick walls.

The quality of Saturday evening's performance, highlighted by the exquisite try from Ben Foden which proved once again the point made to those of us introduced to the game as children – the ball travels faster than the individual – was at a higher level than anything produced in their preceding matches.

Quick ball, good handling, a willingness to run at spaces rather than opponents and a freshness of approach all made for an occasion in which, even in defeat, there was enjoyment. There was even the odd roar of approval from the settee for Mike Tindall, the pride of Otley and a man whose international days seemed over.

He was one of several England successes; Toby Flood was another at fly-half and Joe Worsley and Lewis Moody were effective in the back row. But what was most revealing was the willingness – absent for far too long – to move the ball.

There were times those in white looked nothing like any previous team sent out by Martin Johnson, apart from that which, coincidentally, hammered France last season.

One match does not make up for all the woes of winter. England still have far to go; their scrum was an embarrassment, Steve Borthwick was badly missed in the line-out (though not for his leadership, or lack of it); youngsters like Foden, Danny Care and Chris Ashton need much more experience before they are true Test players; too many penalties are conceded; there is still no discernible game plan.

But perhaps the worst is over; the mixture of battle-hardened old lags and a sprinkling of bright-eyed, fleet-footed youngsters might need a little adjustment yet but the possibilities are there. If only we had a few more of the latter…

DEFEAT at Old Trafford yesterday may not quite have ended Liverpool's quest for a place in the Premier League's top four come the end of the season but it will have been a severe setback for the money-men at Anfield as they desperately search for investors willing to hand over 100m for a stake in the club.

Liverpool need the money before mid-summer if they are to persuade their banks to restructure their debt and any investor would need the guarantee of qualification for the Champions League next season before dipping into his pocket.

Even with the bonus of a superb fifth-minute goal from

Fernando Torres, Liverpool were unable yesterday to stamp their authority on the game and that has been their problem all season: they do not play as we have come to know Liverpool teams play down the decades since Bill Shankly moved across the Pennines from Huddersfield and began a footballing dynasty.

There are several arguments as to why Liverpool have under-performed since that magical night in Istanbul when they overhauled AC Milan and won the European Cup on penalties.