England trounce Scotland to retain Six Nations

Stuart Hogg’s attacking exploits have claimed most of the limelight in Scotland’s rejuvenation so far but it would be remiss to ignore the defensive contribution of Jonny Gray, who now tops the charts for tackles in the tournament (52).

This weekend’s Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham already had plenty riding on it, with England able to pull level with New Zealand’s marker of 18 wins on the bounce by a tier-one team.

Instead they completed their final session across the road from their base at the Lensbury Club in Teddington.

On Thursday when Jones gave his spikiest press conference as England boss, it was easy to forget they had won 17 games on the bounce.

Speaking after the game, Wilson said: “It was so much fun. It was the sort of performance we needed”, said England coach Eddie Jones. We looked at a few things at half-time, adapted well and that was pleasing for us. “We have been here before!”

And on the hour mark the Richmond wing became the first player to score six tries in a Women’s Six Nations match when she received another pass from Scarratt.

I was pleased with my kicking against Wales but I don’t think Alex Dunbar can say the same.

“We have analysed them a fair bit and opportunities will come”, added Hogg. We also executed some lovely plays. There will be momentum shifts in this game.

A beleaguered South Africa was dealt with 37-21 for the first time in 10 years, Fiji was swept aside 58-15, England overcame the fifth-minute sending-off of Elliot Daly to beat Argentina 27-14, and the autumn sweep – and a national-record equaling 14th straight win – was sealed with 37-21 triumph over Australia as England recovered from a terrible start. It’s nothing short of what we deserved.

Sadly for Russell, he didn’t enjoy the best afternoon in Twickenham. We believe in ourselves.

“It’s victor takes all against Ireland next week and that will be a totally different game which we’ve got to be prepared for”. We converted our chances really well. We
are going out there to get some victories.

In a marked departure from the usual exuberance he displays when addressing the media, the prickly Australian gave a series of evasive answers and repeatedly deflected questions with the words “all I’m anxious about is Scotland”. He said: ‘We got caught out a couple of times in set-phase. We are excited for tomorrow.

‘My biggest concern of the championship was to see how many players I’ll be able to put on the field next week.

Scotland attack coach Jason O’Halloran reckons the possible introduction of Ben Te’o as Farrell’s replacement could cause the Dark Blues just as many problems. We’ve had eight concussions in two away games and now I’m more focused on getting the team back together for next week.

Joseph, whose silken running evoked comparisons with England centre great Jeremy Guscott, added: “Credit to the boys, I just ran the lines outside what they created and the holes were there for me”.

“I think he ran into my dog”.

Joseph, who scored a hat-trick against Italy in Rome past year, also set-up his club teammate Anthony Watson for another five-pointer.

“It would be up there, that’s for sure”, Hogg replied.

On occasions like this you wonder if we’ll EVER win there again.