Two-try Jones stars Scots end England’s Grand Slam
Stuart Hogg – 8 out of 10
Got a few chances to break free but it was his ability to bring his teammates into the game that really stood out. Could do little about the Farrell try, but otherwise defensively sound.
Tommy Seymour – 7 out of 10
Kept quiet as the man inside him stole the show, but his defensive impact was good as he kept his opposite man at bay. Looked to pick up a bag leg injury midway through the second half.
Huw Jones – 9 out of 10
What a player. Jones should be one of the marked men of world rugby, and yet England gifted him so much space to run into. His first try came from a slice of good luck as the ball bounced in his favour but the second was all about his sheer power and pace to hold off Anthony Watson and Mike Brown to score just before the break. Peter Horne – 8 out of 10
Very strong start to the game and took the pressure off Russell by offering a second play-making option. Able to bring the outside backs into play regularly that posed most of the problems for England.
Sean Maitland – 8 out of 10
Took his try well in the corner as be held off the covering defence of Jonny May to score. Ran hard when coming into the line and had two good runs at full tilt to try and make an impact.
Finn Russell – 8 out of 10
What a way to answer his critics. Everyone knows what you get with Russell, but this was certainly one of his good days and his footwork with the ball in hand and ability to unlock the English defence at will won the day. One low point when he passed to Hogg when a kick had been called, but apart from that it was a very good display.
Greig Laidlaw – 7 out of 10
Another commanding display from Laidlaw who has reasserted himself as the first-choice No 9 in the squad. His kicking from the tee was good, with one blemish in the first-half from the touchline his only miss, and commanded his forwards around the ruck brilliantly.
Gordon Reid – 7 out of 10
Stood up well to the test of Cole in the scrum battle, although it was the loosehead who was singled out when the front-row collapsed in the first half.
Stuart McInally – 7 out of 10
Showed good strength in the scrum and his lineout throwing was good-if-unspectacular, with one overthrow in the first half. He steadied things up after the break, and carried well around the fringes.
Simon Berghan – 8 out of 10
A very good showing from the tighthead who asked plenty of questions of Mako Vunipola and did not come off second best in that battle. Made one outstanding turnover in the second half, and took his leave 10 minutes from time. A very good showing.
Grant Gilchrist – 8 out of 10
Carried emphatically in the first half and had a notable presence about him, none more so than when he decided to take on Nathan Hughes in a first-half flare-up.
Jonny Gray – 7 out of 10
One of the go-to lineout options that McInally utilised, although he did get bumped off Hughes early in the game that went unpunished. Frm thereafter he was very reliable in defence and did his bit going forwards, but perhaps could have contributed more.
Jonny Barclay – 8 out of 10
His work at the breakdown left England’s possession in tatters as he combined with the rest of the backrow to disrupt, turnover and penalise English ball repeatedly. A real captain’s showing.
Hamish Watson – 8 out of 10
Was a step ahead of the English support play that resulted in the openside winning penalty after penalty, and meant that the Eglish could not put any meaningful phase play together.
Ryan Wilson – 7 out of 10
Overshadowed by his back-row colleagues but that’s not a slight on his performance as Barclay and Watson simply took their game to the next level. Strong carrying and will be happy with his performance.
Mike Brown – 5 out of 10
Offered little going forwards as his one real break in the match saw him throw a horrible pass to Watson that the wing could not take. Defensively poor as well as he was brushed off by Jones for the third try and baffled by the ball for the first.
Anthony Watson – 6 out of 10
Had two real chances to show off his footwork in tight space, but given little possession to work his magic with and faded in the game as a result. Move to full-back did not bring much difference as he struggled under the high ball.
Jonathan Joseph – 6 out of 10
Perhaps England’s best offensive player, but that doesn’t say much after this dreadful team performance.
Made a couple of nice breaks and gave Scotland something to think about.
Owen Farrell – 6 out of 10
Smart move to drift wide and spot the space for his try, but undid that good work by his needless decision to rush up on George Ford’s kick from deep when he was clearly offside. Jonny May – 6 out of 10
Kept relatively quiet but when he did get the ball in dangerous positions he was able to break the line and show off his incredible speed. The problem is that if he beat the first man, there was always another two or three waiting as the Scottish cover defence did its job.
George Ford – 5 out of 10
Failed to get the back line functioning and that buck lies with the fly-half. When England ran out of options, Ford failed to take control and he was hauled off 15 minutes from the end as Eddie Jones resorted to Plan B in Farrell.
Danny Care – 6 out of 10
Fairly lively and alert enough to spot Farrell in space outside him for the try. His box-kicking wasn’t amazing though, and it does make you wonder if he’s more suited to being a replacement.
Mako Vunipola – 7 out of 10
Can’t be faulted for his work in the scrum as he tried to take the game to Berghan and tried to impose with his carrying, although he was somewhat underused across the match. His presence was missed once he left as Joe Marler gave away a penalty immediately in the scrum.
Dylan Hartley – 6 out of 10
When England decided to hold a crisis huddle at the end of the first half, it looked like George Ford was doing the urgent talking. Relatively accurate in the lineout barring one steal, but you wonder if his time has come as a regular starter.
Dan Cole – 6 out of 10
Won a penalty in the first half when he forced Reid down to the turf but also conceded one in the second half for not rolling away.
Joe Launchbury – 5 out of 10
Managed to find himself a rival in referee Nigel Owens as he was repeatedly penalised early in the second half for ruck infringements. Not the way he will have wanted his 50th cap to play out.
Maro Itoje – 6 out of 10
Fairly anonymous in terms of impactful moments, although did some good work running the lineout and seemed to get most of his calls right.
Courtney Lawes – 5 out of 10
Conceded a needless penalty in the second half when he stepped over the ruck and kicked the ball out of Laidlaw’s hands. Looked to pick up an injury not long after that he defiantly continued on with until the end.
Chris Robshaw – 6 out of 10
Gave it his all but far too often he was on his own as the support wasn’t there. Carried an awful lot and, given his lack of sheer size when compared to the best carriers in world rugby, you do wonder if it’s the best use of his abilities.
Nathan Hughes – 6 out of 10
Impactful first carry as he smashed Gray out of his way but had little to no support in the attacking department. Guilty of missing the tackle that allowed Jones through for his second and his withdrawal early on shows he’s still not up to speed after his injury.