The Steve Borthwick bubble was burst by a tartan crossbow. England’s relaunch beneath their new coach received off to a stalling begin as they have been shot down by two spectacular tries by Duhan van der Merwe.
The Calcutta Cup will return to Scotland. Once more.
Any hopes of a fast repair within the Borthwick period have been dashed on day one. That acquainted feeling of disappointment returned however the consequence have to be stored in perspective.
England have had simply 11 days collectively beneath their new coach. There have been inexperienced shoots in assault however defensively they have been trampled by the boys in blue.
Scotland spent simply 104 seconds within the English 22 however they got here away with 29 factors that secured a 3rd consecutive victory over the Auld Enemy.
Scotland triumphed over England 29-23 at Twickenham to retain the Calcutta Cup
Steve Borthwick fell to defeat in his first match in cost because the first-team England boss
Owen Farrell hit a variety of conversions within the recreation however was unable to stop Scotland’s win
Few knew what to anticipate from the host aspect. An artist’s clean canvas? Extra of an engineer’s design board. There have been greater than 700 kicking metres from England within the first 40 minutes, usually resorting to the boot in their very own half.
They chased exhausting, pointing fingers at Finn Russell, making an attempt to power Scotland’s pesky No 10 into errors.
However after quarter-hour, watching from his seat in entrance of Princess Anne, Borthwick was introduced all the way down to earth. Jamie Ritchie claimed an overthrown lineout and Farrell shot out of the road to land one other shot on Russell.
Farrell left a dogleg gap within the defence, which Huw Jones reduce by means of to depart England scrambling. Ball recycled, Sione Tuipulotu ship a grubber kick by means of the defence, with Jones touching down for the primary rating.
At instances, England got here alive in Scotland’s half. Their ruck pace was largely beneath three seconds and so they attacked the area. Ollie Chessum and his fellow forwards stood out within the backline, sucking in defenders to depart alternatives out large.
Beginning with an Ellis Genge tap-and-go from 5 metres out, England made their method by means of 15 phases. Smith orchestrated proceedings, directing carry after carry from his forwards.
When the chance knocked, Sinckler performed the ball out the again, with Smith chipping the ball into Max Malins’s path to socre. Borthwick smacked his desk in approval.
For all of England’s enhancements in assault, their defence was left wanting. Their particular person tackling was poor and Van der Merwe took full benefit.
Gregor Townsend’s aspect staged a late comeback to overturn the rating and win the match
Duhan van der Merwe scored two good tries together with a 55-yard run throughout the pitch
Jack van Poortvliet (second left) and Alex Dombrandt each made errors as there have been errors aplenty within the England ranks
He beat 5 defenders, utilizing all of South African muscle, scoring a Calcutta Cup traditional that the good Jonah Lomu would have been pleased with.
There have been errors aplenty within the English ranks. And never simply the missed tackles. Jack van Poortvliet was caught in the back of the ruck and Alex Dombrandt spilled the ball in assault.
However with half time approaching, the No 8 made a scything break on the within shoulder of Owen Farrell. England’s gamers held their positions, sucking in defenders and tipping the ball on with ruthless effectivity.
Lewis Ludlam offering the ultimate cross for Malins’s second attempt, earlier than Farrell edged England forward with a penalty earlier than half time.
Max Malins scored two tries however was nonetheless on the shedding aspect at Twickenham on the evening
Ellis Genge was subsequent to attain, as England quickly stepped into the driving seat. Piggiybacking their method up the pitch with scrum and maul penalties, it felt just like the blueprint for the Borthwick period. A pointy line from Dombrandt, neat fingers from Kyle Sinckler and Genge was over.
However they spilt the restart and moments later, scrum-half Ben White span previous Ben Curry for a poacher’s attempt.
Farrell and Russell exchanged penalties however the recreation remained within the stability. Regardless of all of their superior territory, England failed to tug clear.
Van der Merwe powered over for his second within the seventy fifth minute, bringing England’s honeymoon interval to a sudden finish.
Richie Grey and his Scotland team-mates rejoice after a giant victory on enemy soil