It was not pretty but it was effective. I thought England came to do a job and they did it well. They controlled territory and possession and really set out their stall early in the game. Their tactics were based around a strong kick chase, with powerful runs from their big men off 9 and 10. They kept Scotland a good 70m from their try line, used their big ball carriers close in to get over the gain line, and pegged Scotland right back in their own half. Particularly in these first 20 minutes leading up to George Kruis’ try.
The Ford-Farrell combination worked well There was not much running rugby but George Ford and Owen Farrell can’t be blamed for that. They were clearly under orders to play a very specific game and they carried it out well. Apart from a 20 minute spell leading up to half time, when Scotland’s back row of John Barclay, John Hardie and David Denton threatened, Scotland were never really in the game. Laidlaw and Russell were forced to kick clear which played into England’s hands.
Playing two fly halves at 10 and 12 meant England always had a first receiver available and they fielded the ball very well when Scotland had possession. Ford would drop deep and Farrell stepped upfield. As the game wore on, England’s control only increased.
England’s defence was completely on top. I thought the integrity of their defensive line was good. As I say, it was not pretty but I don’t think you can underestimate the threat posed by Scotland, particularly given their form at the World Cup. Eddie Jones paid them a compliment by playing this way. Vern Cotter’s team wanted a more open game; they wanted to be attacking a good 20m from rucks, playing off their midfield runners and utilising their back three of Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour and Sean Maitland.
But the breakdown from both teams was pretty attritional to be honest. The ball was slow and that meant ball carriers always had pressure on them.
The Ford-Farrell combination worked well There was not much running rugby but George Ford and Owen Farrell can’t be blamed for that. They were clearly under orders to play a very specific game and they carried it out well. Apart from a 20 minute spell leading up to half time, when Scotland’s back row of John Barclay, John Hardie and David Denton threatened, Scotland were never really in the game. Laidlaw and Russell were forced to kick clear which played into England’s hands.
Playing two fly halves at 10 and 12 meant England always had a first receiver available and they fielded the ball very well when Scotland had possession. Ford would drop deep and Farrell stepped upfield. As the game wore on, England’s control only increased.
England’s defence was completely on top. I thought the integrity of their defensive line was good. As I say, it was not pretty but I don’t think you can underestimate the threat posed by Scotland, particularly given their form at the World Cup. Eddie Jones paid them a compliment by playing this way. Vern Cotter’s team wanted a more open game; they wanted to be attacking a good 20m from rucks, playing off their midfield runners and utilising their back three of Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour and Sean Maitland.
But the breakdown from both teams was pretty attritional to be honest. The ball was slow and that meant ball carriers always had pressure on them.
It was noticeable that Scotland’s best chance in the second half came from an interception deep in their own 22m when Finn Russell suddenly had the whole field ahead of him.
I don’t think Russell realised he had support otherwise I think he would have got the pass away. And I would certainly have backed Hogg to run the length of the field.
It was a shame for them but it summed up Scotland’s afternoon. They just did not quite have the control and they made mistakes when it mattered.
Watching Italy against France I was impressed by the young Italian team. France clearly tried to throw it around and play a bit fast and loose, making plenty of errors, but all the same, it was a gutsy performance from the Italians and they were competitive for the full 80 minutes.
I think Eddie Jones will have looked at that and thought 'no need to change anything for Rome’. I suspect England will play a similar game of territory, kick chase and strong defence next week.
As they get more familiar with each other and with the structures Jones wants, they can start to add variety to their attacking game. At the moment, it is all about wins, which create momentum.
There was a lot of pressure on England’s new captain given his length disciplinary record and the fact he has not been at his best for Northampton this season. But I always felt he was a good choice as captain – I wrote six weeks ago that I would pick him as my captain if I was England head coach – and I think he proved that yesterday.
Where did England go wrong at the World Cup? Their set piece and their line-outs. England had control in those two areas yesterday and Hartley was a big part of that.
His body language was good, he was calm throughout and he even shook hands with the referee on his way off the pitch. Jamie George came on and immediately won England a penalty at the scrum and I think that showed this is a combination which can work for England. George is the best hooker in the Premiership at the moment.
Although the England game plan was focused on the kick chase and defence, there were signs that they could play a more expansive game.
Kruis’ try really came from a mistake from Richie Gray although Billy Vunipola’s carry had laid the foundations for it, with Laidlaw pulled out of position. But Jack Nowell’s try really showed what England are capable of. If Eddie Jones wants some highlight to show his squad tomorrow that is what he will be showing them. The build-up had a bit of everything. A strong kick chase, turnover ball, strong carries from Vunipola – a deserved man of the match – James Haskell and Chris Robshaw. England then changed the point of attack nicely, with Vunipola showing nice hands before Nowell went over in the corner. All the elements were there for this new look England team: power, kick chase, finishing. England’s back row of Robshaw – Haskell and Vunipola will not necessarily be the long term answer from England.
At some point they will want to add a bit of dynamism with a faster breakdown and an attacking running game. But Jones wanted experience in his ranks yesterday.
He had over 500 caps in his team which was why he thanked Stuart Lancaster in the build up.
He did not want to take risks yesterday and you have to say England got it spot on with their tactics. It was horses for courses. Any win at Murrayfield is a good win.
I don’t think Russell realised he had support otherwise I think he would have got the pass away. And I would certainly have backed Hogg to run the length of the field.
It was a shame for them but it summed up Scotland’s afternoon. They just did not quite have the control and they made mistakes when it mattered.
Watching Italy against France I was impressed by the young Italian team. France clearly tried to throw it around and play a bit fast and loose, making plenty of errors, but all the same, it was a gutsy performance from the Italians and they were competitive for the full 80 minutes.
I think Eddie Jones will have looked at that and thought 'no need to change anything for Rome’. I suspect England will play a similar game of territory, kick chase and strong defence next week.
As they get more familiar with each other and with the structures Jones wants, they can start to add variety to their attacking game. At the moment, it is all about wins, which create momentum.
There was a lot of pressure on England’s new captain given his length disciplinary record and the fact he has not been at his best for Northampton this season. But I always felt he was a good choice as captain – I wrote six weeks ago that I would pick him as my captain if I was England head coach – and I think he proved that yesterday.
Where did England go wrong at the World Cup? Their set piece and their line-outs. England had control in those two areas yesterday and Hartley was a big part of that.
His body language was good, he was calm throughout and he even shook hands with the referee on his way off the pitch. Jamie George came on and immediately won England a penalty at the scrum and I think that showed this is a combination which can work for England. George is the best hooker in the Premiership at the moment.
Although the England game plan was focused on the kick chase and defence, there were signs that they could play a more expansive game.
Kruis’ try really came from a mistake from Richie Gray although Billy Vunipola’s carry had laid the foundations for it, with Laidlaw pulled out of position. But Jack Nowell’s try really showed what England are capable of. If Eddie Jones wants some highlight to show his squad tomorrow that is what he will be showing them. The build-up had a bit of everything. A strong kick chase, turnover ball, strong carries from Vunipola – a deserved man of the match – James Haskell and Chris Robshaw. England then changed the point of attack nicely, with Vunipola showing nice hands before Nowell went over in the corner. All the elements were there for this new look England team: power, kick chase, finishing. England’s back row of Robshaw – Haskell and Vunipola will not necessarily be the long term answer from England.
At some point they will want to add a bit of dynamism with a faster breakdown and an attacking running game. But Jones wanted experience in his ranks yesterday.
He had over 500 caps in his team which was why he thanked Stuart Lancaster in the build up.
He did not want to take risks yesterday and you have to say England got it spot on with their tactics. It was horses for courses. Any win at Murrayfield is a good win.
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