Jeremy Guscott’s England verdict: A clean and clinical show in a hostile environment

The selection of Owen Farrell and George Ford was a stop-gap because Manu Tuilagi‘s not fit; Henry Slade is injured; and Luther Burrell is out of favour. For me it wasn’t a raging success or disappointment. They weren’t challenged massively nor asked to do much.
Jack Nowell’s try was well-executed and both playmakers were involved – although the defining involvement of that movement was the contribution of prop forward Mako Vunipola. His catch and give created the space and time for Farrell to slip the ball for Nowell to finish well.
Overall there were many questions asked of them as a defensive unit, and there wasn’t too much for them to deliver against this Scotland midfield.
The performance of England was all very much geared to the forward power which Scotland didn’t seem to have many answers to.
It was a pretty clean, clinical, efficient performance. If anything, I think they overplayed some aspects. For instance, when there is slow ball get rid, don’t try and build momentum from stationary carriers. Only the Vunipola brothers seem to make headway from a static start – otherwise it’s detrimental to the team momentum as it’s very hard to get over the gainline unless you hit the ball at speed.
So I want to see them make it easier on themselves and choose the kicking option when needed. However, if England are going to incorporate a more kick-chase gameplan then the forwards must be on the same hymn sheet and not get caught out like Courtney Lawes did when pinged for moving on the ball following Mike Brown‘s clearance.
The leading light of Eddie Jones’ era was Billy Vunipola with his man-of-the-match performance. He led from the front for the entire 80 minutes and is one of this team’s go-to men. As vice-captain Vunipola must shoulder more responsibility and on this display he seems to have taken to the new role extremely well.
Joe Launchbury and George Kruis were also exceptional with their delivery and did the hard yards well to give England the advantage in the tight.
This was not an all-singing, all-dancing performance from England. It wasn’t extravagant but they got the job in a hostile environment and have put the World Cup misery well and truly behind them.
Jones predicted a tough battle and said beforehand all that is needed is a victory. They got that and can build from here in Italy next week. But for all the positives in this display, Scotland played into the hands of England and their slow start to another Six Nations is a worry.
They have won just once out of 17 first weekends since the Six Nations began in 2000. When you watch a performance like this you can see why. You cannot afford to be caught cold at the start of this Championship. England can take the plaudits for not allowing them to play but they offered very little threat in the match with Stuart Hogg their only real threat with ball in hand.
They lacked shape and didn’t play enough in England’s half, instead playing out of their half and taking risks. The weight of expectation created a lot of pressure and I don’t think they handled that very well. Vern Cotter will be hugely disappointed at the manner of this defeat as they could have turned up the heat on England in the second half.
England will take huge confidence from this. They have started well, got the victory and now it is about building as a unit. They must not underestimate an Italian outfit that pushed France to the wire and I would see very few changes.
Jones needs to get his lineup settled – then we will see key relationships develop and this young team fulfilling their potential.