Owen Farrell injury clouds England’s plan for Six Nations showdown with Scotland

But, just when it seemed Scotland were wobbling, they got themselves on the board shortly afterwards as Reid barged over from close range.

The New Zealander said the Scotland dressing room was like an emergency ward after the game.

Certainly, it meant England losing Elliot Daly with a concussion inside the second minute paled into insignificance compared to their difficulties. “The last win there has been mentioned a bit but as a team we’re not really focused on that”, admitted Russell. “Ben Te’o can play No12, he’s an exceptional player, so there’s no risk for us”.

Jones appeared to claim that leaving out the whiteboard displaying team selection was a deliberate ruse – “the boards weren’t left out by accident” – but explained his decision to retain Nathan Hughes at number eight.

He said: “The attitude hasn’t been bad, but there’s been an attitude shift to embrace what’s ahead of us and to lift to the next level”.

Jones – one of Scotland’s few remaining fit three-quarters – added his second in the 70th minute but former Leeds Tykes scrum-half Danny Care added a late double, the Yorkshireman scurrying over twice after great work first from Billy Vunipola and then his brother Mako.

Joseph had his finest attacking game since his hat-trick in Rome past year – he matched that feat here by the 45th minute – while George Ford showed an assuredness which was lacking against Italy in the last round. “We’ll make a call as and when we know more”, Gustard added. “That’s what we’re moving towards”.

The Australian then sowed further confusion over Farrell’s fitness by declaring that Farrell “could be a doubt” but that he would also be “alright” to face Scotland within a matter of moments.

The Kiwi will join Montepellier after next week’s clash with Italy, with Glasgow boss Gregor Townsend succeeding him.

“We’ll look at the video, which will be a brutal review, but it was not through lack of trying, just too many errors”.

“It is a contact sport”, said Cotter. As off-colour a game as he had against Italy last time out, this was the polar opposite as he played with the assuredness of a playmaker with 51 Test caps.

But they were simply overpowered and outclassed, with Scotland captain John Barclay slamming his side as “useless”. “It certainly wasn’t a good day”.

Centre Owen Farrell, who was touch and go after a mystery leg injury in the build-up to the game, nailed six conversions and four penalties in a 26-point haul.