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New England head coach Steve Borthwick was denied a win in his first game since replacing Eddie Jones as they were beaten 29-23 by Scotland at Twickenham; Scotland boss Gregor Townsend heaped praise on two-try hero Duhan van der Merwe, who scored a stunning solo effort.
By Marc Bazeley at Twickenham Stadium
Last updated: 04/02/23 10:38
Steve Borthwick was denied a win in his first game as England head coach
Steve Borthwick was left to blame for a result that was out of England’s hands after being beaten 29-23 by Scotland in their opening match of this year’s Six Nations.
The hosts battled back from 12-7 down to lead by a point at half-time at Twickenham thanks to Max Malins’ first two tries in an England shirt and then went 20-12 up early in the second half behind Ellis. Score edited by Genge.
But Ben White’s sniping run to finish and Duhan van der Merwe’s second try to go with a stunning first-half score denied Borthwick victory in his first match since replacing Eddie Jones as England head coach, also making it three Calcutta Cup successes in a row for Scotland.
“To go in at half-time in the position we did was a huge credit to the players and when we went 20-12 up and took control of the game, we weren’t going to let that get away from us and we did,” Borthwick said.
“We’ll see, and I think it’s part of the growth of the team because you have to suffer.
“You don’t want to, but there’s always enough on the pitch that says I can see some aspects that we’re working on, and I can see some things that need to be improved.
“We got in a position to win the game and we didn’t, and we’ll see if we go further.”
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England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick said the pain of Scotland’s defeat at Twickenham will ultimately help the growth of the side.
Borthwick’s side return to home soil next Sunday when they face Italy and will be expected to bounce back against the Azzurri, who have never beaten England in a previous edition of the Six Nations.
Despite being in the team losing to Scotland for the third year running, England captain Owen Farrell took positive from the performance and believes that the team shows many signs of moving in the right direction after the difficult Autumn Nations Series which ultimately cost Jones the job.
“We’re just starting our journey now,” Farrell said. “Over the last 11 days, we feel there has been growth, and we feel there has been growth in this performance.
“Finally, we said we will look at ourselves after this game and want to be better regardless of the result and we still are.”
England’s Owen Farrell looked sad after losing to Scotland
“There are a few things we can be proud of, and a lot of credit has to go to Scotland for the way they played, but let us have a good look at ourselves and I’m sure there will be a few mistakes. Our first game together under the new system.
“But I know these kids are going to work hard to fix it.”
Townsend: Van der Merwe tries to ‘love Rugby’s Jonah Lomu’
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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said he was emotional at the final whistle as his side claimed another Calcutta Cup victory at Twickenham.
Scotland’s head coach Gregor Townsend is full of praise for the two-try hero Van der Merwe, who put behind recent injuries to play a starring role in the win over England.
It was a converted try five minutes from time that finally put the seal on the win for the visitors, but the highlight-reel moment came in the first half when the 27-year-old took the ball in his own half and left six English. back player to score.
Duhan van der Merwe played a key role in Scotland’s win over England
Indeed, Townsend compared the Edinburgh winger’s finish to a computer game that fans of a certain vintage will remember.
“It’s incredible, isn’t it?” Townsend said. “It reminds me of when you play ‘Jonah Lomu Rugby’ and suddenly one person can go faster.
“Duhan hasn’t had a lot of rugby in the last few weeks. He’s trained well with us, but to play like he did on the back of an injury and not play in Edinburgh is a real testament to how well he can do in this mental and physical position.
“The first try was amazing and one try that drove the Scotland supporters crazy in the stands and silenced everyone because you don’t see tries like that very often.”
Scotland players celebrate with the Calcutta Cup
Scotland’s win meant it was the first time since 1972 that they had claimed the Calcutta Cup for three years in a row, and they now prepare to host Wales at Murrayfield.
Skipper Jamie Ritchie is determined to build on this result and ensure they don’t suffer a counter-attack from Wales, who were beaten 34-10 by Ireland in Cardiff earlier in the day.
“We would love to win and retain the Calcutta Cup, but we have been in this position before and we did not support it.
“For us, we will enjoy the company and enjoy this victory, but on Monday we will start again and be ready.”
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