Scotland 20 England 17: Red Rose lose Six Nations opener despite Smith score as Cowan-Dickie gifts Scots penalty try
ENGLAND beat themselves at Murrayfield as their Grand Slam hopes crashed and burned at the first hurdle.
And Eddie Jones will not need telling that this was the sort of self-inflicted loss that will burn for months.
On a Murrayfield night when Marcus Smith came of age, scoring a try of glorious improvisation, England collectively lacked the maturity to see out a match that was theirs for the taking.
Instead, Luke Cowan-Dickie’s needless yellow card proved the critical moment as 70 minutes of almost total domination counted for absolutely nothing as they squandered the Calcutta Cup.
England were in control, seven points to the good, needing only to keep their heads despite squandering so much possession.
But Cowan-Dickie, isolated against wing Darcy Graham under a steepler, lost his bearings and his faculties, batting the ball into touch with no attempt to catch it.
Penalty try, yellow card, momentum changed.
And two more shockers saw victory transformed into aching defeat.
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Prop Joe Marler took a line-out in the absence of a hooker, failing to throw the required distance, then the seven man scrum collapsed to allow Finn Russell the chance to steal the win.
No wonder England were left in disbelieving despair, architects of their own downfall, now just one win in five against Scotland.
This one, though, will hurt the most because it should never have been.
Testament to Scotland’s resolve as they fed on scraps, kept themselves afloat and then grabbed the fleeting opportunities that came their way.
None of that should have mattered, though, as England found yet another way to lose.
The stats tell you why.
England had 63 per cent of possession in the first half, slightly less overall, and spent most of the match camped in Scottish territory.
Yet Smith’s scintillating try, and four goals by the Harlequins rookie, were all they had to offer.
Too often, far too often, they kicked the ball away, offended at the breakdown, allowed the Scots to breathe again.
And, crucially, when they made mistakes in their own half, they were punished.
The prime example came immediately after Smith had kicked the first ponts of the afternoon, squirming his effort between the uprights, meagre reward for utter control.
Cue seven seconds of defensive madness as Graham spotted a huge gap from half-way, skipping past the flat-footed Nick Isiekwe and blasting through to go deep into England territory.
Wing Joe Marchant back-peddled, trying to hold him up.
But it just meant there was a simple pop inside for Ben White, on as a temporary replacement for scrum half Ali Price, to scamper over, Russell adding the extras.
It was the pattern for what followed, error after error.
The most criminal offence came when Smith kicked successfully for the corner rather than take a straightforward kick at goal.
England won the line-out, drove and drove, seemingly certain to score, only for Cowan-Dickie to to be held up as he attempted to touch down.
It was to prove a huge turning point in the match.
Smith did take advantage of England’s next opportunity as he added three more points from 35 yards.
Yet the half ended, once again, with an England mistake.
Kyle Sinckler was pinged at another ruck on the final play of the half, with Russell taking full measure to send his side into the dressing room four points ahead.
That was whittled away to a solitary point with Smith kicking the easiest of penalties from virtually in front of the posts, as England began the second half as they had spent most of the first, deep in Scotland territory.
It seemed as if the momentum was firmly in England’s corner especially when they went in front through Smith’s moment of magic soon afterwards.
Another rumbling line-out drive sent the Scots backwards towards their own line, with a penalty on its way.
That was Smith’s signal.
He might be only 22 and on his first Six Nations start but he reacted like a veteran.
Smith, lined up in an an open-side stance, switched to go down the blind-side, taking the pass and slicing through to touch down.
A moment of quality and while Smith missed the difficult conversion, a fourth penalty stretched the lead to seven.
It should have allowed Smith to leave immediately afterwards – George Ford one of four finishers coming on – as the hero of the night.
Instead, Cowan-Dickie’s folly proved decisive, referee Ben O’Keeffe rightly penalising the hooker for a clear and unquestioned offence.
Suddenly, handed seven points from nothing and with a man extra, Scotland seized the moment.
Marler’s effort was compounded as England’s scrum folded, handing Russell the chance to pop his side in front.
Four minutes left, the clock ticking down as England desperately sought redemption.
But they lost possession in the Scotland 22 and then, with their last chance, saw the ball dislodged forward at the contact.
Bedlam for the Scots. Despair for Jones and his team. No excuses, Mr Jones.
It’s the first time Scotland have retained the Calcutta Cup since 184, and that lack of success showed in the trophy presentation at full time.
Skipper Stuart Hogg was so keen to get his hands on the trophy he grabbed the silver jug BEFORE it was officially presented to him by Anne, Princess Royal.
The last time Scotland beat England in back-to-back games?
They went on to win the Grand Slam…