Scotland 31-20 England – PLAYER RATINGS: Who was uncovered badly by hosts’ ruthless kicking? Who loved one in all his finest video games for Scotland? And how did Maro Itoje fare after he was hooked by Steve Borthwick?
England’s Grand Slam dream was shattered in ruthless fashion in a heavy Calcutta Cup defeat by Scotland.
It was a Murrayfield mauling for Steve Borthwick‘s side and Huw Jones’ crucial charge down in the second half was a key moment in the match.
Henry Arundell followed last week’s hattrick with a nightmare display, picking up two yellow cards in the first 40 minutes.
England were never quite able to recover from the early onslaught and Gregor Townsend‘s side were able to comfortably see out the match – a massive victory for the under-pressure boss.
Here, Daily Mail Sport’s Alex Bywater gives his player ratings out of 10 for both sides.
Scotland triumphed in the Calcutta Cup clash, with England losing comfortably at Murrayfield
SCOTLAND
Tom Jordan – 7
He’s shown with Bristol this season that’s a brilliant ball player. Part of exceptional home back-line.
Kyle Steyn – 8.5
Such a lovely, graceful runner. More than justified his selection and was wiped out by Henry Arundell for Englishman’s red. Star man.
Huw Jones – 8.5
Always saves his best for England and he was at it again here with a try in either half. Second put the game to bed.
Sione Tuipulotu (capt) – 8.5
Targeted George Ford straight away and mixed his game up delightfully in the first quarter, showing power and pace.
The Scotland skipper led from the front with his trademark pace and power
Jamie Dobie – 7
In ahead of England’s nemesis Duhan van der Merwe. Not as good as Steyn but a solid evening’s work.
Finn Russell – 8.5
Brilliant flick-on pass gave Jones room to score and fine run and kick set-up Ben White. One of his best recent games for Scotland.
Ben White – 8.5
Excellent opening and was rewarded with try when Ellis Genge failed to collect Russell’s kick through.
Ben White was sharp of hand and foot for the hosts at Murrayfield in their win
Nathan McBeth – 6.5
Picked ahead of more high-profile names in the blue No 1 shirt but did well before giving way.
George Turner – 7
An unheralded figure but part of a Scotland pack that more than matched England who had an off-day.
Zander Fagerson – 4
Involved in a scrum tete-a-tete with Ellis Genge but was the one often singled out by the Georgian referee as he came under set-piece pressure.
Zander Fagerson endured a difficult afternoon for Scotland despite the winning effort
Gregor Brown – 7.5
Strong performance as the Scottish lock pairing outplayed England’s more established names.
Scott Cummings – 8
Did a lot of the ugly work incredibly well and was key to Scotland’s maul defence. Proved why he was a Lion last summer.
Jamie Ritchie – 5.5
Easy finish for try after dominant home start but blotted copybook by conceding penalties for blocking and offside. Replaced at the break.
Rory Darge – 7.5
Excellent breakdown penalty win in the second half summed up his team’s display.
Jack Dempsey – 6.5
He always powers into contact and he did so again before being replaced by Max Williamson.
Replacements: Matt Fagerson 7.5 (for Ritchie 41), Pierre Schoeman 6 (For McBeth 49), Dave Cherry 6.5 (for Turner 51), Elliot Millar-Mills 6.5 (for Z Fagerson 51), Max Williamson 6 (for Dempsey 57), George Horne 6 (for White 58), Darcy Graham 5.5 (for Jordan 69), Adam 5 Hastings (for Dobie 75)
ENGLAND
Freddie Steward – 4
Didn’t necessarily do anything wrong but didn’t stand out either on a disappointing night for England.
Tom Roebuck – 4
Carried and chased hard but he was too often in reverse and not aerially dominant.
Tommy Freeman – 5
Got through lots of carrying work but it was always in tight spaces and we didn’t see him roam free.
Fraser Dingwall – 4
Questionable first-half decision to kick away possession and couldn’t impact the game.
Henry Arundell – 3
Hat-trick hero against Wales but sent off for two yellow cards here either side of a try in eventful first half. Dismissal very, very costly.
Henry Arundell’s afternoon was cut short after picking up his second yellow card
George Ford – 5
Had said pre-match England would impose themselves on Scotland but that didn’t happen and his charged-down drop goal was the final nail in the coffin.
Alex Mitchell – 5
Forced to chase back early on. Found it tough going as his pack failed to perform.
Ellis Genge – 4
Exposed badly by Russell’s kick through and couldn’t collect, leading to White’s try.
Luke Cowan-Dickie – 4
Back in the starting side but his concession of an early penalty formed part of a dreadful England start.
Joe Heyes – 6.5
Scrum was a mess, but it was far from all his fault and his team did win set-piece penalties.
Maro Itoje (capt) – 4
Not often you see him replaced but disappointing, like his team. Odd that he was on the wing when Scotland scored their first and knocked on when in good second-half position.
It was an afternoon when Maro Itoje’s side saw their Grand Slam dreams go up in smoke
Ollie Chessum – 6
Tough start but showed athleticism to pick off an intercept. Went the distance.
Guy Pepper – 4.5
Involved in minor scrap with Bath team-mate Russell. His first experience of a Test defeat.
Sam Underhill – 3
Couldn’t help stem the Scottish tide in the first half and replaced at the break by Tom Curry.
Ben Earl – 6.5
Never stopped working but wasn’t able to stand out as he normally does. Late consolation try.
Ben Earl was unable to produce his usual attacking threat against the Scots
Replacements: Tom Curry 6 (for Underhill 41), Bevan Rodd 5 (for Genge 57), Alex Coles 5.5 (for Itoje 57), Henry Pollock 5.5 (for Pepper 57), Jamie George 5 (for Cowan-Dickie 57), Fin Smith 5 (for Arundell 58), Trevor Davison 5 (for Heyes 68), Ben Spencer 5 (for Mitchell 69)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Star man: Kyle Steyn (Scotland)
