The grin on Clive Woodward's face after England's 59-20 win over Canada in Vancouver could hardly have been wider and the statement no more decisive. "This result will send shock-waves round the world."

His instant summing up of what easily constitutes one of the most thrilling England performances of recent times is easy to understand. For all the public soothing, Woodward is still angered at being overlooked for the Lions coaching job.

He lost 18 players and two senior coaches to the party even before vice-captain Martin Corry was summoned on Friday - barely 24 hours before he was due to start a Test match for his country. So to see his team perform with such style was sweet.

"Winning is everything in Test rugby but the manner with which we achieved it was absolutely amazing," said Woodward of the eight-try spectacular, which helped England equal their best-ever sequence of 10 consecutive Test victories.

Shane Williams revelled in his chance to write his name in the history books during Wales's 64-10 rout of Japan. The Neath star scored a Welsh Test-record four tries in the oppressive heat of Osaka.