New look England defeat the Scots

Charlie Hodgson scored a charge-down try as England grabbed a 13-6 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.

A hard-fought victory gave Stuart Lancaster the perfect start to his tenure as interim head coach, although his side had to hold on grimly for most of the second half after Hodgson’s score.

England defended tenaciously but Scotland will rue a string of errors which ultimately cost them victory.

Two Dan Parks penalties had earned Scotland a 6-3 half-time lead and put the hosts on course for just a second opening weekend win in 13 attempts in the tournament, before his mistake cost his side the game 24 seconds into the second half.

Hodgson – back in an England starting side for the first time since 2008 – charged down a Parks attempted clearance kick and was first to the loose ball.

Owen Farrell converted and finished with eight points on his England debut.

The television match official ruled against Greig Laidlaw – on for Parks – after 63 minutes, and for all Scotland’s endeavour they could not breach the white wall of defenders.

Scotland were smarting from their last Test – the last-gasp loss to England which saw them eliminated from the Rugby World Cup at the group stage for the first time – and determined to finally realise their undoubted potential.

Lock Jim Hamilton set the tone for the hosts in the opening minute, rampaging into the England 22 only for a misplaced pass to allow Tom Palmer to hack the danger clear.

Farrell missed a penalty from 47 metres after 13 minutes, but soon had another opportunity.

Hodgson’s kick cross-field was dropped by Rory Lamont, David Strettle collected, scampered forward and fed Mauritz Botha, who was tackled and not released.

This time Farrell put England 3-0 ahead after 23 minutes.

Parks levelled three minutes later after Scotland punched forward from the restart and the visitors were penalised for going off their feet.

A Max Evans burst pushed Scotland forward before Chris Ashton was caught by Chris Cusiter, David Denton and Alasdair Strokosch, the wing failing to release, presenting Parks with another chance. The fly-half made it 6-3 after 33 minutes before his error in the opening moments of the second half allowed England to regain the lead.

Delayed

Parks delayed over a straightforward clearance at his own line, Hodgson charged down and won the race for the ball. Farrell converted to make it 10-6.

The incident appeared to sap confidence from the hosts and quietened a previously vocal Murrayfield crowd.

Opportunities for Denton and Strettle fizzled out before Richie Gray powered through a gap up to the England 22, but Strokosch knocked on when following up in support.

Robinson turned to his replacements’ bench with 21 minutes remaining – Alastair Kellock, John Barclay, Mike Blair and Laidlaw introduced for Hamilton, Strokosch, Cusiter and Parks.

The reinforcements had a near-immediate impact when Laidlaw appealed for a try after chasing his own chip, only to fail to get the required downward pressure ahead of Ben Youngs.

Ross Rennie darted through a gap and attempted to find Blair, only for Ben Foden to snuff out the pass.

Farrell missed a penalty attempt from halfway after 71 minutes as England spurned the chance to take a seven-point lead.

England replacement Mike Brown earned a penalty after Scotland failed to release and Farrell this time booted England further ahead with five minutes remaining.

Scotland continued to look for opportunities but were repelled on each occasion by fiercely committed England defence, as the visitors held on for their first Calcutta Cup win in Edinburgh since 2004.