New England head coach Steve Borthwick was denied a win in his first match since succeeding Eddie Jones as they had been overwhelmed 29-23 by Scotland at Twickenham; Scotland boss Gregor Townsend heaped reward on two-try hero Duhan van der Merwe, who scored a surprising solo effort

Steve Borthwick was denied a win in his first sport as England head coach

Steve Borthwick was left to rue a consequence which slipped by way of England’s grasp after they had been overwhelmed 29-23 by Scotland of their opening match of this yr’s Six Nations.

The hosts fought again from going 12-7 down to guide by a degree at half-time at Twickenham because of Max Malins’ first two tries in an England shirt after which had been 20-12 up early within the second half on the again of Ellis Genge’s transformed rating.

However Ben White’s sniping run to complete and Duhan van der Merwe’s second attempt to go along with a surprising first-half rating denied Borthwick victory in his first match since succeeding Eddie Jones as England head coach, in addition to making it three straight Calcutta Cup successes in a row for Scotland.

“To go in at half-time within the place we had been in was an immense credit score to the gamers and at 20-12 up and answerable for the sport, we should not be letting that get away from us and we did,” Borthwick mentioned.

“We’ll take a look at it, and I feel that is a part of the expansion of the group as a result of you have to undergo some ache.

“You do not wish to, however there was definitely sufficient there on that pitch that mentioned I can see some facets we’re engaged on, and I can see some issues we have to enhance.

“We acquired ourselves able to win that sport and we did not, and we’ll take a look at that to ensure we’re higher going ahead.”

We acquired ourselves able to win that sport and we did not, and we’ll take a look at that to ensure we’re higher going ahead.

England head coach Steve Borthwick

Borthwick’s facet are again on house turf subsequent Sunday once they face Italy and shall be broadly anticipated to bounce again towards the Azzurri, who’ve by no means overwhelmed England in any of the earlier editions of the Six Nations.

Regardless of being on the dropping group towards Scotland for the third yr operating, England captain Owen Farrell took positives from the efficiency and believes the group confirmed loads of indicators of shifting in the proper course after a troublesome Autumn Nations Collection which in the end value Jones his job.

“We’re firstly of our journey on the minute,” Farrell mentioned. “Over the past 11 days collectively we really feel like there was some development, and we really feel like there was some development on this efficiency.

“In the end, we mentioned we might take a look at ourselves after this sport and wish to get higher whatever the consequence and that is nonetheless the case.

England’s Owen Farrell seems dejected after the defeat to Scotland

“There may be some stuff we may be pleased with, and plenty of credit score has to go to Scotland in the way in which they performed, but it surely permits us to take a look at ourselves rather well and I assume there was all the time going to be some errors coming from our first sport collectively in a brand new system.

“However I do know these boys will work arduous to ensure they repair them.”

Townsend: Van der Merwe strive ‘like Jonah Lomu Rugby’

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend was stuffed with reward for two-try hero Van der Merwe, who put behind current accidents woes to play a starring position within the win over England.

It was his transformed strive 5 minutes from time which in the end put the seal on the win for the guests, however the highlight-reel second got here within the first half when the 27-year-old took the ball in his personal half and left six England defenders trailing in his wake to attain.

Duhan van der Merwe performed a starring position in Scotland’s win over England

Certainly, Townsend in contrast the Edinburgh winger’s end to being like one thing from a pc sport which followers of a sure classic will recall.

“It was unbelievable, wasn’t it?” Townsend mentioned. “It jogged my memory of while you performed ‘Jonah Lomu Rugby’ and immediately one individual can go faster.

“Duhan hasn’t had a lot rugby over the previous couple of weeks. He is educated rather well with us, however to play like he did on the again of an damage and never taking part in for Edinburgh is an actual testomony as to how he is acquired himself on this place mentally and bodily.

“That first strive was wonderful and one strive that will get the Scotland supporters going loopy within the stand and silences everybody else since you do not see tries like that fairly often.”

Scotland’s gamers have fun with the Calcutta Cup

Scotland’s victory meant it was the primary time since 1972 they’d claimed the Calcutta Cup for 3 years in a row, they usually now put together to host Wales at Murrayfield.

Skipper Jamie Ritchie is decided to construct on this consequence and guarantee they don’t endure a backlash from Wales, who had been overwhelmed 34-10 by Eire in Cardiff earlier within the day.

“We’re delighted to win and retain the Calcutta Cup, however we have been on this place earlier than and never backed it up.

“For us, we’ll take pleasure in one another’s firm and luxuriate in this victory, however come Monday we’re beginning once more and able to go.”