England have it easy as nervy Scots freeze on the big occasion

Gordon Reid goes over for a try on a difficult afternoon for Scotland at Twickenham. immense strength while replacement scrumof defence by Duncan Weir, on the bench as half Danny Care’s late double brought up the understudy to fly-half Finn Russell. humiliation of Scotland conceding more than And the bench was another area of English a half-century of points to the Auld Enemy. superiority. While previous injuries to the likes

Scotland had a brace-scorer, too, would you of John Hardie and Josh Strauss meant Cornell believe, in Huw Jones, while Gordon Reid Du Preez was a replacement, the Red Rose bribrought some short- lived hope with his first gade could call up five likely Lions tourists Test try in the first half. Finn Russell converted including the Vunipola brothers. all three scores. That said, when Scotland did string the

But, while Scotland have no one to blame phases together and got quick ball, they but themselves, they also had some awful luck showed they would at least go down swinging with injuries. but the fact Tim Visser had to wait until well

Stuart Hogg had to go off with a head knock after the hour mark to get his first touch before the 20-minute mark and, unbelievably, showed how well England had shackled his replacement Mark Bennett lasted just three Scotland’s attack. minutes before pulling a hamstring, inflicting further chaos to both the backline and coach Vern Cotter’s carefully-laid plans.

As a result the Scots were now fielding wing Tommy Seymour at full- back and scrum- half Ali Price on the wing.

This didn’t help their defensive patterns and worse was to come when Seymour himself took a head knock and was replaced as last line

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