Hartley: We left ourselves too much to chase

DEJECTED Dylan Hartley challenged his team-mates to shrug off their Calcutta Cup misery and keep fighting for Six Nations success in the final two games.

The captain wiped away the pain of a confidence-sapping defeat by Scotland – a first against them for ten years – to issue his rally cry as England licked their Murrayfield wounds.

Captain and hooker Hartley admitted: “We lacked intensity and lost territory with turnovers. We had a lot to chase in the second half. The boys gave it a good crack but it was too much.

“There were big turning points such as Danny Care’s interception and Courtney Lawes’ tackle but that’s the way it goes sometimes.

“It’s part of our journey. It’s a quiet dressing room and some boys are down. But win or lose we always want to get better, and there is a lot to work on still.”

Scotland centre Huw Jones was the toast of Edinburgh, grabbing two first half tries and setting up another in a brilliant individual performance.

The win means Scotland can still lift the title if they can win their remaining two games against Ireland and Italy.

Delighted Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend claimed: “This win equals the amount of wins I had over England as a player. The guys played with real intensity and character in that first-half.

“Huw Jones made two excellent decisions on line breaks and it paid off big time. He’s worked very hard for us off the ball as well. He has a fantastic try scoring record. We got a lot of good turnovers and that was crucial.

“We now have to play another leading side in Ireland and we need to put in a very good performance away from home against a top team.”

Fly-half Finn Russell said: “It’s ten long years since we have got the better of England so this moment feels very special. It was an incredible opening half by all the guys and laid the platform for the win.”