Stuart Lancaster Insists England Have Made Progress Despite Uncertain Autumn Series Results

Stuart Lancaster insists his England side are making progress after ending the autumn series with victory over Australia at Twickenham.

England suffered defeats to New Zealand and South Africa before recovering to claim wins over Samoa and the Wallabies in a moral-boosting end to 2014 ahead of next year's Six Nations championship.

Despite the contrasting results against the southern hemisphere quartet Lancaster claims England remain on course for the World Cup on home soil in 11 months time after having dealt with a series of high-profile injuries.

"It certainly feels better having won the last game," said Lancaster. "The progression of key players has been a real bonus for us.

"We've got seven British Lions missing at the moment and they're just getting fit. We're progressing up front. George Ford, who kicks at goal, but the accuracy of his kicking game his ability in the team has been a real bonus.

"The wing position, Anthony Watson I am throwing into the deep end at 20 years old and he's swimming.

"You look at the quality of players that are missing from our pack, [Joe] Launchbury, [Geoff] Parling, [Mako] Vunipola. [Alex] Corbisiero, [Dan] Cole, [Tom] Croft.

"What has pleased me the most is the emergence of the Kieran Brooks and the Matt Mullen's and the contribution George Kruis has made."

Ben Morgan took his international try tally to five after scoring twice against Australia, both of which stemmed from rolling scrums which underlined both England's dominance but also their over-reliance on the set-piece to deliver scoring opportunities.

But Lancaster has defended England's approach and appears unwilling to sanction a renewed attacking brand of rugby.

"Sometimes when you're set piece is dominant you don't get width on the ball because you're winning penalties and you're kicking them or you get a try," he added.

"We could have moved the ball away from the scrum straightaway and tried to score a try through our wingers but why would we do that?

"I go back to the stats. Twenty-one tries scored by the backs, 13 by the back three."