Tries from Finn Keylock, Jimmy Staples, Connor Treacey, James Pater and Will Knight were enough to overcome a robust Scottish performance in Edinburgh.

Andy Titterrell’s men will hope to maintain their winning start to the campaign against Ireland at The Rec, Bath next week. 

Both sides appeared rushed in the opening exchanges, but the visitors eventually found their stride when Lucas Friday darted around the scrum on the halfway line and set off towards the line.

The electric scrum half produced a nicely weighted dink over the top which debutant Keylock latched on to brilliantly for the game’s first score.

The Saracens man was unable to convert, but the try was an early indicator of the pace and precision in the English back line.

Scotland threatened to respond quickly through a couple of startling line breaks, but squandered both opportunities and before long Titterrell’s men had extended their lead.

Not for the last time in the match, a bungled Scottish lineout on their own five-meter line handed possession back to England, with the ball dropping into the hands of Staples.

The Harlequins hooker still had work to do to get to the line, but charged at the nearest defenders without hesitation and showed remarkable strength to muscle over.

Keylock this time made no mistake off the tee, extending the visitors’ lead to 12-0.

Scotland would not succumb to the English momentum however, and had soon levelled the score through two tries of their own.

Scrum half Hamish MacArthur dived over for the hosts after an extended period of pressure on the English try line, before elusive winger Rory McHaffie showed good feet to cut inside and dot down under the sticks.

With the score converted, England suddenly found themselves under pressure having had the upper hand for much of the first half.

Undeterred, captain Treacey barged his way over from short-range following some destructive carrying from tighthead prop Sonny Tonga’uiha, who followed up his strong showing against Wales with an equally impressive showing in Edinburgh.

Keylock again added the extras, but any settling of English nerves was short-lived.

Scotland again bounced back with their own try, loosehead prop Jamie Stewart driving over in the corner.

The conversion was missed from the touchline and England maintained a slender 17-19 lead at the interval.