England call on Vunipola and Sinckler to prop up faltering Six Nations challenge
Eddie Jones will send for the cavalry in response to England crashing to one of their worst ever Six Nations defeats.
Rugby boss Jones indicated that Lions props Kyle Sinckler and Mako Vunipola would return for this Saturday’s home game with Italy.
Sinckler missed Saturday's 11-6 home defeat by Scotland due to suspension whilst Vunipola in on the comeback trail after injury.
Jones will demand an immediate reaction to England coughing up a first home defeat to Scotland in 38 years.
He said: “Let’s make one thing straight: we didn’t play well. Scotland were too good on the day.
“We accept responsibility for not playing well. I accept responsibility for not preparing the team well enough.
“I take it very seriously. I am disappointed that we let down England today and we did not play to our full potential.”
Lawrence Dallaglio said his former team looked “clueless” as they went down without firing a shot.
“Not just for parts of it, all game,” he wrote in the Sunday times. “Whatever the cause, it’s got to be sorted out quickly because that was as bad as it gets.”
Sir Clive Woodward branded it a “huge setback” for Jones, but the Australian refuses to panic.
“Coaching is about trying to find the edge, how you can do things a little bit better,” he said. “Obviously I didn’t do it well enough this week with the coaching staff and we need to find a way to prepare the team better.
“We will be forensic in our analysis of what we did in terms of preparing the team and trying to find ways to do it better.
“Kyle has finished his suspension so he will be available and Mako Vunipola will be available.”
HOW ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND PLAYERS RATED
ENGLAND
Elliot Daly – 4
Such a talented player, but you see none of it the way England use him.
Anthony Watson – 4
Such a dangerous runner, but Scotland locked him in a box
Henry Slade – 4
Such a classy runner and distributer at club level, saw nothing of that
Ollie Lawrence – 4
Brought in for his power, had one run and made no ground. No attempt to use him
Jonny May – 4
A lethal weapon in the right hands. England’s decision makers anything but
Owen Farrell (capt) – 4
Too many poor choices tactically, England need to at least try to play some rugby. Time for George Ford to start at 10
Ben Youngs – 4
Most telling involvement was when he was tripped by Russell, which at least gave England 10 minutes’ respite
Ellis Genge – 5
England’s scrum just about held up and he never shirked the tough stuff
Jamie George – 5
England won 11 of their 13 lineouts but unable to provide his usual momentum in first game for two months
Will Stuart – 5
Like Genge, made 16 tackles but fire fighting was not what he had in mind
Maro Itoje – 6
Better than most in white but gave away three penalties and discipline killed England
Jonny Hill – 6
Big shift on the defensive front, making a team-high 24 tackles
Mark Wilson – 5
England’s back row eclipsed by Scotland and subbed off early.
Tom Curry – 6
19 tackles and usual heart-on-sleeve stuff, but not enough this time
Billy Vunipola – 4
One of five Saracens to have played no rugby and it showed
SCOTLAND
Stuart Hogg (capt) – 9
Kicked and beautifully in a masterful exhibition of fullback play. Man of match
Sean Maitland – 7
Carried for more metres than England’s back three combined.
Chris Harris – 7
Linked well with men outside and repelled any English traffic headed his way.
Cameron Redpath – 8
21 years old, Test debut, quite outstanding. To the manner born.
Duhan Van der Merwe – 8
Showed pace and power to score Scotland’s try and unlucky not to get a second.
Finn Russell – 8
Yellow card blotted copybook but a joy to watch him perform his tricks. Pure box office.
Ali Price – 7
Charged down a couple of times early on but put vital pace on Scotland’s game in fast start
Rory Sutherland – 7
Took set-piece to England and deserved the reward.
George Turner – 7
15 out of 15 for Scottish lineout. job done by the hooker.
Zander Fagerson – 7
Put his head where it hurt to ensure tartan set-piece delivered.
Scott Cummings – 7
Combined well with Gray to ensure Scots won 100 per cent of their lineout ball
Jonny Gray – 9
Dominated in the air and added power and punch to drive Scots on.
Jamie Ritchie – 8
Throws himself about much like Lewis Moody used to. His energy served Scots well
Hamish Watson – 9
Denied try when held up but nobody better him at the breakdown. Huge game.
Matt Fagerson – 8
Had much the better of the No.8 duel as Scotland comfortably bossed the collisions.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
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