Johnson: 'That is Test match rugby'

England manager Martin Johnson said he was pleased with the way his side had "grittily slugged it out" to maintain their unbeaten record against Samoa.

England overcame a rugged defensive display by the South Pacific islanders to win a bruising battle at Twickenham 26-13.

"That's Test match rugby," Johnson said of the game against the tough-tackling Samoans.

"You don't get anything easy.

"It is a case of staying composed. We said during the week that if it takes 75 minutes to get on top then it does. It took us an hour today."

England face world champions South Africa - beaten by Scotland on Saturday - next Saturday at Twickenham to round off their year-end Test series.

"It is another layer of experience for the players today," Johnson said.

"We've played a tough physical side today and we will again next week."

England captain Nick Easter said his side had failed to finish as ruthlessly as they had against the Wallabies a week earlier.

"We weren't as clinical as we wanted to be," Easter said.

"It was the right result but not the right performance," added Easter, filling in as skipper for the rested Lewis Moody, who is expected to return against the Springboks.

AFP