"It might be stating the bleeding obvious, but there has been something not quite right about England." PA Sport's Andrew Baldock reports

And I am highlighting the whole shooting match here, not just their on-pitch performances.

Losing at home to Wales and then struggling past Italy means yet another RBS 6 Nations campaign could be destined for failure - a fifth successive season without silverware.

England, naturally, still believe they can win the title, a theory they will inevitably subscribe to until it is mathematically impossible.

But if France win their next two games - against England and Italy in Paris - then Brian Ashton's World Cup finalists will once again be consigned to a place among the Six Nations also-rans.

While France and unbeaten rivals Wales appear rejuvenated under their respective new coaches Marc Lievremont and Warren Gatland, England have drifted.

Yes, injuries have taken a chronic toll on Ashton's plans. What coach wouldn't be affected by the loss of players like Mike Tindall, Lewis Moody, David Strettle and Tom Rees? All in the opening game, too.

Then Ashton lost both first-choice props - Andrew Sheridan and Phil Vickery - for an appointment with Italy's renowned scrummagers in Rome.

But scratch beneath the surface, and I am sure England's problems run far deeper.

To those of us outside the inner sanctum at England's Bath training base, the atmosphere has felt flat, almost funereal at times.

You yearn for the days of Martin Corry's dry wit, the ability of Martin Johnson to terrify inanimate objects and Lawrence Dallaglio looking menacing in three different languages.

Perhaps the banter is all reserved for the team room these days, because England's public face could hardly be described as joyous.

Yes, international sport is a high-pressure zone, but you just feel that if England "chilled"' a bit, then that might translate itself into them playing with a bit more direction, freedom and enjoyment.

It has all appeared such a struggle, and one wonders if the players really have been enthused by what awaits them each week they turn up for training in the west country.

The second-half implosion against Wales was unforgivable, while England made a pretty decent effort to repeat that collapse amid the ruins of Rome eight days later.

Now, it's on to Paris, and a watershed game in the coaching regime of Ashton.

Ashton has already hinted that if things don't go according to plan at Stade de France, then heads will roll.

World Cup scrum-half Andy Gomarsall has already gone, so who is to say the likes of Mark Regan, Iain Balshaw, Nick Easter or, and whisper it quietly, Jonny Wilkinson won't follow?

Lievremont has already taken the plunge, blooding pre-tournament unknowns like Francois Trinh-Duc, Morgan Parra, Louis Picamoles and Fulgence Ouedraogo, so maybe that is what England need - a fresh outlook.

The strong vibe emanating from Ashton this week is that full England debuts for the likes of Danny Cipriani, Tom Croft and possibly Paul Hodgson might not be far away.

But whatever happens, England cannot keep producing second-half performances like they have been.

Rob Andrew, the Rugby Football Union elite rugby director and Ashton's boss, resembled a EuroMillions lottery winner who had lost his ticket as he made his way out of the Stadio Flaminio 10 days ago.

He knows what England are serving up at the moment is not good enough, and Ashton, his fellow coaches and players have to start turning things around.

Victory in Paris would help, yet that must be viewed as an unlikely prospect, especially if France are able to unleash the most dangerous back three in world rugby - Cedric Heymans, Aurelien Rougerie and Vincent Clerc.

The cavalier trio boast 51 Test tries between them, and England will need to negate their significant threat or run the risk of suffering a fourth successive Six Nations loss in Paris.

One line from Ashton during this week's build-up though should prove enough to interest English supporters travelling to the French capital more in hope than expectation.

Ashton said: ''It is a great challenge for all our players, and wouldn't it be great if we could outplay them (France) at their own game?''

Too right it would, Brian.

England playing scintillating rugby with a smile on their faces, looking as though they are enjoying what they are doing.

Now, that really is dreamland.