JOSEPH LEADS ENGLAND TO SIX NATIONS TITLE IN SCOTLAND ROUT
Jonathan Joseph scored a hat-trick of tries as England retained their Six Nations title with a 61-21 rout of Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday which also equalled New Zealand’s record of 18 successive wins by a ‘tier one’ nation. England ran in seven tries in total against a Scotland side who had arrived in London bidding for the Triple Crown and with hopes of a first Twickenham victory since 1983.
England’s points tally was also the most either side had managed in the 135-match history of the rugby union’s oldest fixture and saw them equal their record 40-point margin of victory against the Scots set in a 43-3 success in 2001.
England had not led at half-time in any of their previous matches this Six Nations but were all but out of sight at 30-7 ahead at the break. Owen Farrell, passed fit shortly before kick-off following a leg injury, converted all seven tries and kicked four penalties for a match haul of 26 points.
Scotland did manage three converted tries, prop Gordon Reid going over in the first half before centre Huw Jones crossed twice after the break. But Joseph completed his treble early in the second
Scotland did manage three converted tries, prop Gordon Reid going over in the first half before centre Huw Jones crossed twice after the break. But Joseph completed his treble early in the second half before the strength of England’s bench came to the fore.
half before the strength of England’s bench came to the fore. Powerhouse No 8 Billy Vunipola needed just five minutes of his Test comeback following a knee injury to score a try before replacement scrum-half Danny Care crossed twice later on to seal an emphatic win.
England will surpass the world champion All Blacks’ record if they beat Ireland in Dublin in the final match of the Six Nations next weekend -- a match where a victory will also see Eddie Jones’ men complete back-to-back Grand Slams.
England kicked off this Calcutta Cup clash knowing any kind of win would see them crowned Six Nations champions after Wales beat Ireland 22-9 in Cardiff on Friday.
Scotland were fortunate that hooker Fraser Brown was not sent off as early as the second minute for a dangerous, late tackle on Elliot Daly that saw the England wing appear to land on his neck. French referee Mathieu Raynal decided a yellow card was sufficient punishment when many officials might have reached for a red.
But no sooner had Scotland been reduced to 14 men, than Joseph, recalled in place of Ben Te’o following the 36-15 win over Italy, scored a third-minute try.
The ball was spun wide and Joseph’s run saw him beat opposing centre Alex Dunbar.
England, with flanker Maro Itoje making ground and Joseph continuing to cause problems, then won two close-range penalties which Farrell kicked to extend their lead to 13-0 as early as the 15th minute. AFP March11, 2017 -