Eddie Jones has accepted blame after Scotland posted its first win at Twickenham since 1983 by beating his error-strewn England team 11-6 in a dominant performance that shook the Six Nations rugby tournament on the opening day.
On the 150-year anniversary of the oldest international rugby fixture, Scotland outplayed their biggest rivals in every department, with the narrow margin not telling the story.
A first-half try by winger Duhan van der Merwe ultimately proved the difference but the contrast between the teams was stark in a one-sided match played in the rain in an empty stadium.
England barely got near the try line as Scotland enjoyed 70 per cent territory. Three missed goal kicks by Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg, as well as some desperate English defence, kept the scoreline close.
Scotland’s players roared with delight when England winger Jonny May fumbled a kick deep in his own half for a knock-on four minutes before time.
That handling error went with a total of 15 penalties conceded by defending champions England, nine of them coming in the first 25 minutes.
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Scotland controlled much of the first half and got out to a 8-0 lead but they were only 8-6 at the break as a result of two Owen Farrell penalties.
But Scotland’s dominance continued in the second half as flyhalf Finn Russell returned from the sin bin to stretch the lead, while captain Stuart Hogg and debutant centre Cameron Redpath were on fire.
England coach Jones copped the loss on the chin.
“Firstly, congratulations to Scotland. They played very well,” the former Wallabies mentor told ITV.
“I thought they played with a lot of intent, a lot of spirit.
“We just had one of those days. I didn’t prepare the team well enough.
“We weren’t quite right, we were a long way off our best.”
Earlier on Saturday, France made the perfect start to their Six Nations title bid, scoring seven tries in a crushing 50-10 bonus point victory over a youthful Italy.
The visitors raced into a 21-point lead by half time after Antoine Dupont set up converted tries from Dylan Cretin, Gael Fickou and Arthur Vincent in Rome on Saturday.
The onslaught didn’t relent after the break as Brice Dulin and Dupont each crossed the whitewash, while Teddy Thomas scored tries either side of Luca Sperandio’s consolation effort to consign Italy to a 28th consecutive tournament defeat.
The huge victory further underlined the title-winning credentials of France, who finished as runners-up last year, while the inexperience of an Italian team featuring 11 players with fewer than ten caps was exposed.
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
You are right, failed is the wrong word for Dave's stint with Glasgow. They won 48 lost 39 and drew 1 in all comps in their 3 years under him (win or draw 55.6%). They made the pro final once too. In the 3 years prior to that Glasgow won 53 lost 44 and drew 2 (55.5% win or draw) and won the pro title once. So almost exactly the same. I think even he would admit he would have wanted greater success with them. On the flip side, England under Eddie Jones have won or drawn 81% of their matches which compares to 61% for Lancaster before him. A big difference. What I'm getting at is that I want Dave to succeed but he didnt improve Glasgows performance in his stint there (at domestic level). Whereas a different coach (Eddie Jones) has drastically improved Englands for example at international level. The Wallabies need to improve on the last 5 years. We cant stay the same.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
He did, and I've never heard anyone say that he was a failure there, until your baseless assertion above. https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/18485430.dave-rennie-bids-farewell-glasgow-warriors/
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Yeh he did coach Glasgow though. The larger of their 2 professional teams
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Not what I asked you mate. Care to stop dodging and answer?
Micko
Roar Rookie
But Phantom (a kiwi) is the person who decided to bring this up on this article. Why I aren't I allowed to call out kiwi hypocrisy?
Interesting point......NO ONE SAID ANYTHING ABOUT NZ CRICKET ON A RUGBY ARTICLE....JUST YOU!!! Get over your anger towards NZ...do it for your health...Its overtaking your life...Seek help!!
By that logic you want Neil Wagner out of the NZ side, and upcoming gun batsman Devin Conway not to be considered for national selection? micko YOU are the only one whinging...Its a article about Englisd v Scotland and you drag this comment into it...NO ONE ELSE IS WHINGING.....JUST YOU....Bye!!!
Micko
Roar Rookie
Look who's talking, the bloke forever on here constantly whinging about aussies. Like most kiwis, there's a complete lack of self awareness. :thumbdown: The kiwis who complain about this don't say anything about the foreigners propping up NZ cricket.
YOU are the only one whinging or complaining Micko.....Enjoy your sad little anti kiwi world.....Hope the anger doesnt overtake your life....
Micko
Roar Rookie
Kepler Wessels couldn't play for his home country, the same way Clarrie Grimmett couldn't, so not really the same is it? The point is kiwis seem to be the only ones sooking about some rugby union nations having foreigners in their teams. But kiwis aren't complaining their current #1 Test status has been helped in large part by South African Neil Wagner, or making their first world cup final was thanks to South African Grant Elliot hitting the winning runs. People in glass houses shouldn't be throwing stones Jacko. If you want to criticise Australia recruiting foreigners, then Fawad Ahmed getting his refugee visa fast tracked by the Australian government would be the appropriate thing to have a crack about. That was silly.
Micko YOU are the only one Badmouthing...And as usual you are badmouthing NZ.... What about Kepler Wessels? Wasnt he a great Aus cricketer?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Marnus was raised in Australia from age ten, which you could tell if you heard his accent Jacko. Neil Wagner, Grant Elliot & Devin Conway are South Africans migrating to NZ as professional cricketers. And Colin de Grandhomme from Zimbabwe too. So a bit hypocritical of kiwis to badmouth some of these nations actively recruiting migrants in the hope of representing their new nation in rugby union, when NZ cricket has been copying this model for the past decade.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Ok with me.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
4 in the English squad and 16 in the Scottish squad are listed as foreigners.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Definitely NV. England's attack was just awful.
Harry Jones
Expert
Gaelic!
Harry Jones
Expert
Cipriani!!!!
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Koch is running around in the England 2nd division atm - what a waste! Perhaps the Force could sign him? :silly:
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Italy plays England next week, and I have a funny feeling in my stomach.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I am not convinced about Ford either, Harry. England has serious trouble with their halves. My focus for England would be to try to get the ball in the hands of the backs. I stopped counting how many times they kicked the ball away even when they had numbers and momentum.