Lock, stock and three smoking barrels left the visitors shell-shocked
JUST AS Elliot Daly was being dumped illegally on his back in the second minute, Maro Itoje was doing an impression of a super-sized winger.
Lurking on the right, the Saracen seized the ball, stormed forward and shaped as if to kick, before opting to hurl himself into Tim Visser at full throttle. It would have been no surprise had Itoje kicked — accurately — such is his freakish repertoire of skills.
But his explosive charge set the tone. England’s locks were everywhere. All three of them. Sure, Itoje was wearing No 6, but he has been packing down in the second row. Conversely, Courtney Lawes has five on his back but occupies the blindside position for scrums.
It is an arrangement that plays to England’s strengths and when it comes to locks, their strength is formidable. Even the mighty All Blacks would be hardpressed to match the resources at Eddie Jones’ disposal in this area. Completing the active trio is Joe Launchbury.
George Kruis is injured, but is the other contender for the two places. No wonder Jones has found room for Itoje in the back row. There had been an admission beforehand that England had been slow starters in this campaign. That was put right yesterday and Lawes was in the thick of it.
He had gained a reputation as a hitman, but Jones demanded he revive his ball-carrying
prowess. It led to a stunning transformation.
Time and again Lawes took England over the gainline, in heavy traffic, absorbing the punishment.
He also illustrated aerial supremacy. An equation of the day was Lawes lineout take plus slick backs move equals England try.
Launchbury was the perfect foil. While Lawes did the eye-catching work, the Wasps man was grafting. Meanwhile, Itoje continued to occupy wider channels but was also resolute in competing over the ball, tackling forcefully and showing an abrasive edge. When Scotland sought confrontation, he was quickly on the scene. Jones has urged him to harness his physique to be more of an enforcer. On this evidence, Itoje is following instructions.
Scotland’s lock double act, the Gray brothers, were eclipsed — and they were supposed to be heading the queue for the Lions.
As Warren Gatland watched this drama unfold from a seat in the stand, he would have been left wondering how he could justify leaving out any of England’s premier locks.