Six Nations - Murrayfield, 6 February 2016, 16:50 local, 16:50 GMT
Scotland (6) 9 - 15 (7) England (FT)

Match coverage:  Report | Reaction

Summary

Time Score  
 

Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of the Six Nations clash between Scotland and England.

The game represents the start of Eddie Jones' England reign, with much expected from the former Australia and Japan coach. The Red Rose also have a new captain in the form of Dylan Hartley, who Jones believes can help the side rediscover its bite.

Scotland have not beaten their old rivals since 2008 but there is a sense of optimism around Vern Cotter's side following their run to the World Cup quarterfinals. Cotter will be hoping they can maintain the momentum that generated today.

Either way, though, it's set to be a cracker!

Scotland: Hogg, Maitland, Bennett, Scott, Seymour, Russell, Laidlaw, Dickinson, Ford, Nel, R Gray, J Gray, Barclay, Hardie, Denton.

Replacements: McInally, Reid, Fagerson, Swinson, Cowan, Hidalgo-Clyne, Weir, Taylor.



England: Brown, Watson, Joseph, Farrell, Nowell, Ford, Care; Marler, Hartley (captain), Cole, Kruis, Launchbury, Robshaw, Haskell, B Vunipola.

Replacements: George, M Vunipola, Hill, Lawes, Clifford, Youngs, Goode, Devoto.



You can follow the game with our man at the ground Tom Hamilton (@tomESPNscrum) and you can read our preview HERE.

The teams are out on the Murrayfield turf and we are moments away from kick off!

1

And we're underway! The Calcutta Cup starts with George Ford booming the kick off deep into Scotland territory.

2

An early test for England's scrum as they win a set piece in Scottish territory. Swing Low rings around Murrayfield.

3

England finally get the ball out of the scrum but the attack mis-fires as Ford knocks on a pass from Jonathan Joseph. Scrum Scotland...

4

England put on a squeeze but Scotland hold firm and win the penalty.

5

Greig Laidlaw boots downfield following the lineout and Joe Launchbury just about mops up the danger and as Mike Brown attempts to counter, it's all a bit scrappy.

6

John Barclay gives away a soft penalty that allows England to kick downfield and set an attacking platform.

7

Anthony Watson involved in midfield for England, but his stab forward for opposite wing Jack Nowell bobbles into touch.

8

Ross Ford penalised for a crooked throw and England have a scrum well inside Scotland's 22'.

9

Chris Robshaw, James Haskell and Billy Vunipola all involved as England look to power their way to the Scotland line but the Scottish defence holds firm for now.

10 0 - 0

George Ford sits back in the hole, but his drop goal attempt sails wide. He maybe should have done better there.

11

Nowell chips forward on the right wing and his chase is excellent, forcing Stuart Hogg to ground the ball over the try line and handing England a scrum five metres out.

12

Can England do anything with this scrum...

13 0 - 5

Try for England! Vunipola picks off the bottom of the scrum and as the ball is recycled George Kruis spots a gap and barrels over the line for his first international try.

14 0 - 7

Farrell has place kicking duties and fires the conversion through the posts.

15

Hogg counters well for Scotland, taking his team well into England's half. Robshaw is caught on the wrong side of a ruck and the hosts have a penalty...

16 3 - 7

Laidlaw makes a sweet contact and Scotland are on the scoreboard.

18

Good work from Finn Russell and Matt Scott gives Scotland territory and although they are unable to get through the English defence, they win a penalty.

19

It's a bit far out for Laidlaw and the hosts instead look for touch. The lineout is won comfortably but after a smart break from Jonny Gray, Scotland lose momentum and England win a penalty.

20

England clear their lines and claim the lineout cleanly.

21

Farrell pokes an awkward kick forward that deceives Hogg, but the fullback is able to clean up the danger.

22

Just as England being to mount some more pressure in Scotland territory they are penalised for side entry at the breakdown.

23

David Denton makes good ground over halfway for Scotland and after Laidlaw tidies up, the hosts start to build phases.

24

England win a penalty though and Farrell is able to clear downfield.

25

An untidy lineout from England but Robshaw is able to hold onto possession for the visitors. Danny Care hoist an up and under that Hogg gathers comfortably before Russell booms a good clearance down into England's 22.

26

England's lineout is more secure this time and after Brown attempts a counter, George Ford is able to clear.

27

Ford is caught by Tommy Seymour and Hogg and gives away a penalty.

28

Laidlaw snatches at his attempt though and Scotland remain four points behind.

29

Was that a late hit on George Ford?

31

Scotland momentarily take the tempo out of the game but that plays into England's hands a bit as Care puts in a testing kick before Brown launches another raid from deep.

32

The ball is something of a hot potato at the moment. Scotland win a turnover and threaten a break with Seymour but England regain possession through Nowell, who loses it pretty quickly.

33

Vunipola loses possession of the ball at the base of the scrum and as Laidlaw comes in to disrupt, Scotland win the penalty.

34

Russell takes full advantage with a big boot towards the England 22.

35

It's Scotland's turn to drive towards the England line but after a good break from Seymour the winger knocks on for the second time in a matter of minutes.

36

England are forced to withstand some pressure on a scrum inside their own 22. Vunipola initially does well to pick up off the base of the scrum but Scotland have the bit between their teeth and win a penalty.

37 6 - 7

Laidlaw knocks it over from in front with ease and Scotland are just a point behind.

38

The ball bounces around halfway before Dan Cole scoops it up. The England prop is offside though, penalty Scotland.

39

Russell kicks Scotland into England's half. Can they edge in front before half-time?

Richie Gray takes the lineout before John Hardie finds a gap. Scotland are metres from the England line...

40

England are able to set their defence and Scotland are pushed back.

40+1 6 - 7

Eventually Russell drops back into the pocket but he is disgusted with his drop goal attempt.

That brings an end to the first half, and although Scotland are behind Vern Cotter may not be too concerned given they trailed by seven at one stage.

 

ESPN's Tom Hamilton is at Murrayfield, and has had this to say:

It has been a nervy first-half, bereft of attacking fluidity. The ball has spent most of its time in the air or in the tight quarters with the tale of the game largely spent within the forwards. Chris Robshaw and James Haskell have performed well for England but Scotland's John Hardie has had a superb 40 and if his team can control the ball better, they will score. George Kruis scored the opening try of the Eddie Jones era but this game has a long way to go poised at 7-6 to the visitors.

40

Russell gets the second half underway and a Hartley mistake gives Scotland possession with a penalty coming. They use it well to drive into the English 22.

41

Scotland move through the phases and they edge towards the England line. But the visitors withstand the pressure and eventually win a penalty.

42

Another wayward lineout from England but Vunipola mops up.

43

Cole penalised at the breakdown.

44

There is a brief break in play as Vunipola gets some strapping applied to his ankle. After which Russell gives Scotland a good attacking position.

45

Jonny Gray is unable to gather the lineout cleanly, knocks on and England have a scrum. It has been a scrappy evening in Edinburgh.

46

Again Vunipola is forced to pick up from the base of the scrum under pressure from Scotland. He does it well and Care launches a kick downfield. Scotland launch a counter through Hogg but England win a turnover and the fullback is called into action at the other end of the pitch.

47

Penalty to England. Jonny Gray pinged for pulling down the England drive.

48

Farrell lines up a kick at goal amid boos, and pulls it wide of the left post.

49

Ford hoists a cross-kick high into the sky and England emerge with the ball as Joseph taps the ball back to Kruis.

50 6 - 12

Try for England! England continue to build through the phases, before Care injects some tempo and Billy Vunipola is involved in a lovely midfield move that allows Nowell to grab the game's second try.

51

Farrell is uncharacteristically wayward with his conversion attempt, but England are now six points clear.

52

Scotland have possession but they are stuck on halfway.

53

Laidlaw hoists a box kick looking for Sean Maitland but Brown gather well before winning the penalty as the Scottish wing fails to roll away.

55

Penalty for England, which Farrell kicks to the corner.

56

England get the dive on from the lineout before Billy Vunipola feeds Youngs who finds Watson. The winger find a gap though, and the visitors go back to their forwards.

57

Big moment for Scotland. Russell intercepts Youngs but with Hogg on his outside he kicks forward, and the ball goes out into touch on halfway. How costly could that prove?

58

Scotland steal the lineout but it's untidy and Russell clears downfield.

61

Penalty for England as the scrum turns. Farrell lining up another shot at goal...

62 6 - 15

The Saracens man steadies himself to send the ball through the posts. England are now more than a converted try ahead.

64

Scotland lose a lineout on halfway before Seymour knocks on to give England a scrum just inside the hosts' half.

65

England are using the clock well at the moment, but as they attempt to keep the ball in the back of the scrum they are penalised. Russell kicks the ball deep into the English half.

66

Richie Gray claims the lineout, and Scotland have the ball with Hardie. Duncan Taylor gets his hands on the ball for the first time but after initially making good ground, the hosts are pushed back towards halfway.

67

Penalty to Scotland as Hogg loses the ball in the tackle. Courtney Lawes pinged for offside.

68 9 - 15

Laidlaw lines up a shot at goal, bang in front of the posts, and nails it. Scotland back within six points.

69

Jack Clifford is on for his England debut, replacing his club mate Robshaw.

Zander Fagerson is on too in the Scotland front row and will have to contend a scrum after Russell knocks on.

70

England keep possession from the scrum but the Scottish defence is good and pushes them back.

71

England claim their lineout and are threatening the Scottish 22.

72

Boos and jeers ring around Murrayfield after Farrell pushes Laidlaw into touch as the scrum-half attempts to let the ball bounce into touch.

Farrell apologises, there are some handbags and Scotland have a penalty.

73

Hogg runs the ball back at England from inside his own 22 but Scotland are unable to make too much ground and Russell clears.

74

The cheers suddenly turn to cheers as Brown slices his clearance out on the full. Can Scotland take advantage of this platform?

75

The lineout isn't the cleanest but they have possession and they are into England's half.

76

However, as the pressure is beginning to grown a Russell knock on hands England a scrum.

With Hartley off Farrell takes on captaincy duties.

77

Penalty to England as the Scottish pack turn once more. England are now back in Scotland's half with a little over two minutes to play.

78

England go through the phases looking to run the clock down as much as score. But they are into the Scotland 22.

79

Billy Vunipola is a central figure once more as England keep possession and allow the clock to tick down. And they have a scrum.

80

England get the ball out, Youngs passes back to George Ford and the fly-half boots the ball out to ensure Eddie Jones starts off with a win.

 

ESPN's Tom Hamilton has had his say on England's win:

It was far from pretty, expansive rugby was at a premium but England and Eddie Jones will care not a jot. Like four years ago, Jones gets his tenure off to a winning start under the lights at Murrayfield. England will be worried by their discipline and George Ford's form remains a concern but they will look to the brilliant Billy Vunipola and the performance of James Haskell and Owen Farrell as signs of optimism. Scotland were their own worst enemies with poor decision-making stunting attacks as the Calcutta Cup remains south of Hadrian's Wall for the eighth year running.

Timeline

Time Scotland  Score  England
0 start of first half start of first half
13 0 - 5 Kruis - try
14 0 - 7 Farrell - conversion
16 Laidlaw - penalty goal 3 - 7
37 Laidlaw - penalty goal 6 - 7
40+1 end of first half end of first half
40 start of second half start of second half
46 Launchbury - sub off
Lawes - sub on
48 MWIWNA Vunipola - sub on
Marler - sub off
50 6 - 12 Nowell - try
54 Youngs - sub on
Care - sub off
57 Dickinson - sub off
Reid - sub on
58 Cowan - sub on
Barclay - sub off
62 6 - 15 Farrell - penalty goal
64 Ford - sub off
McInally - sub on
65 Seymour - sub off
Taylor - sub on
68 Laidlaw - penalty goal 9 - 15
69 Nel - sub off
Fagerson - sub on
Swinson - sub on
JD Gray - sub off
Clifford - sub on
Robshaw - sub off
76 George - sub on
Hartley - sub off
80+1 end of second half
end of half
end of second half
end of half
0
81

Notes

 
Result England won by a margin of 6 points
Six Nations points England 2, Scotland 0
 
Ground name Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Attendance 67500
 
Referee J Lacey (Ireland)
 
Scotland Test debuts ZJR Fagerson
England Test debuts JA Clifford

Teams

Scotland England
Tries none Tries Kruis (13), Nowell (50)
Cons none Cons Farrell (14)
Pens Laidlaw (16, 37, 68) Pens Farrell (62)

Match stats

Scotland   England
0 Tries 2
0 from 0 Conversion goals 1 from 2
3 from 4 Penalty goals 1 from 2
75.0% Kick at goal success 50.0%
0 (1 missed) Dropped goals 0 (1 missed)
Kick/pass/run
31 Kicks from hand 41
135 Passes 110
111 Runs 102
325 Metres run with ball 274
Attacking
46% (52%/41%) Possession (1H/2H) 54% (48%/59%)
44% (50%/39%) Territory (1H/2H) 56% (50%/61%)
7 Clean breaks 3
15 Defenders beaten 12
4 Offloads 1
86 from 89 (96.6%) Rucks won 83 from 88 (94.3%)
5 from 5 (100.0%) Mauls won 6 from 6 (100.0%)
16 Turnovers conceded 7
Defensive
133/12 Tackles made/missed 123/15
92.0% Tackling success rate 89.0%
Set pieces
1 won, 0 lost (100.0%) Scrums on own feed 11 won, 1 lost (91.7%)
11 won, 3 lost (78.6%) Lineouts on own throw 14 won, 1 lost (93.3%)
Discipline
9 (1) Penalties conceded (Freekicks) 12 (0)
0/0 Yellow/red cards 0/0

Scot stats

Pos   T/A Pts K/P/R MR CB DB OL TO Tack LO Pen Y/R
FB Hogg 0/0 0 7/2/18 101 1 5 0 1 2/1 1/0 0 0/0
W Maitland 0/0 0 0/1/7 23 1 1 1 3 2/0 0/0 1 0/0
C Bennett 0/0 0 0/2/4 8 0 0 0 0 5/0 0/0 0 0/0
C Scott 0/0 0 0/1/9 27 1 2 0 0 11/0 0/0 2 0/0
W Seymour 0/0 0 0/1/7 22 1 2 0 6 3/2 0/0 0 0/0
FH Russell 0/0 0 18/22/7 20 1 1 0 2 7/0 1/0 0 0/0
SH Laidlaw 0/0 9 6/77/2 7 1 0 0 1 5/2 0/0 0 0/0
P Dickinson 0/0 0 0/2/1 0 0 0 0 0 11/0 0/0 0 0/0
H Ford 0/0 0 0/1/6 13 0 1 0 1 7/0 0/0 1 0/0
P Nel 0/0 0 0/2/5 5 0 0 1 0 5/2 0/0 1 0/0
L RJ Gray 0/0 0 0/2/5 9 0 0 0 0 10/1 4/0 0 0/0
L JD Gray 0/0 0 0/9/11 6 0 0 0 1 15/0 1/1 1 0/0
F Barclay 0/0 0 0/2/8 10 0 1 0 0 5/1 1/0 0 0/0
F Hardie 0/0 0 0/5/5 31 1 0 1 0 13/2 0/0 0 0/0
N8 Denton 0/0 0 0/3/9 40 0 1 1 0 12/0 3/0 1 0/0
(H) McInally 0/0 0 0/1/1 0 0 0 0 0 5/0 0/0 0 0/0
(P) Reid 0/0 0 0/1/1 0 0 1 0 0 4/0 0/0 2 0/0
(P) Fagerson 0/0 0 0/0/1 0 0 0 0 0 1/1 0/0 0 0/0
(L) Swinson 0/0 0 0/0/0 0 0 0 0 1 6/0 0/0 0 0/0
(F) Cowan 0/0 0 0/0/2 0 0 0 0 0 4/0 0/0 0 0/0
(W) Taylor 0/0 0 0/1/2 3 0 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0 0/0
Key T/A Tries / Try Assists Pts Points scored
K/P/R Kick / Pass / Run MR Metres Run with ball
CB Clean Breaks DB Defenders Beaten OL OffLoads TO TurnOvers
Tack Tackles made / missed LO LineOuts won on throw / stolen on opp throw
Pen Penalties conceded Y/R Yellow / Red cards

Eng stats

Pos   T/A Pts K/P/R MR CB DB OL TO Tack LO Pen Y/R
FB Brown 0/0 0 3/4/12 70 0 1 1 1 1/0 1/0 0 0/0
W Watson 0/0 0 2/0/7 47 1 2 0 0 2/0 0/0 1 0/0
C Joseph 0/0 0 2/3/4 9 0 0 0 0 7/2 0/0 1 0/0
C Farrell 0/1 5 8/4/3 4 0 0 0 0 11/3 0/0 1 0/0
W Nowell 1/0 5 3/1/9 44 2 3 0 0 7/0 0/0 0 0/0
FH Ford 0/0 0 11/20/4 17 0 0 0 2 3/1 1/0 1 0/0
SH Care 0/1 0 8/35/1 0 0 0 0 0 2/1 0/0 1 0/0
P Marler 0/0 0 0/1/1 0 0 0 0 0 4/0 0/0 0 0/0
H Hartley 0/0 0 0/1/2 0 0 0 0 0 9/3 0/0 0 0/0
P Cole 0/0 0 0/1/1 1 0 0 0 0 9/0 0/0 3 0/0
L Launchbury 0/0 0 0/1/2 0 0 0 0 0 7/1 0/0 1 0/0
L Kruis 1/0 5 0/2/6 6 0 1 0 0 16/1 9/1 0 0/0
F Robshaw 0/0 0 0/1/6 3 0 0 0 0 7/0 0/0 1 0/0
F Haskell 0/0 0 0/1/7 2 0 0 0 0 18/0 0/0 0 0/0
N8 VML Vunipola 0/0 0 0/5/22 51 0 5 0 3 9/3 0/0 0 0/0
(H) George 0/0 0 0/0/0 0 0 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0 0/0
(P) MWIWNA Vunipola 0/0 0 0/1/6 7 0 0 0 0 3/0 0/0 1 0/0
(L) Lawes 0/0 0 0/0/4 3 0 0 0 0 6/0 1/0 1 0/0
(F) Clifford 0/0 0 0/0/2 4 0 0 0 0 2/0 1/0 0 0/0
(SH) Youngs 0/0 0 4/29/3 6 0 0 0 1 0/0 0/0 0 0/0
Key T/A Tries / Try Assists Pts Points scored
K/P/R Kick / Pass / Run MR Metres Run with ball
CB Clean Breaks DB Defenders Beaten OL OffLoads TO TurnOvers
Tack Tackles made / missed LO LineOuts won on throw / stolen on opp throw
Pen Penalties conceded Y/R Yellow / Red cards

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