Elite-tier game management. I felt he’d maybe appreciate that he would be up against another older-head in George Ford so that he didn’t have to be super-aggressive, rushing Finn, but he chose his moments to do so wisely. When he wasn’t nudging the ball with the boot wherever he deigned it should go, there were slick, incisive moments – such as the ‘slap-pass’ – and he kicked off the tee sweetly. [George Ford – 7]
Capitalised on Ellis Genge’s mistake to score a try – he’s got the Jones/Duhan about him in this fixture – he used the ball quickly and sharply in that early period of dominance. Kicking was pretty solid and was defensively excellent. Scurried about when Scotland were under the cosh just to get in the way. [Alex Mitchell – 8]
Scotland stand-off Finn Russell rediscovered his mojo against England. Image: ©Craig Watson – www.craigwatson.co.uk
Seemed to hold his end of the scrum up fine. Couple of big carries in early stages and some good defensive work. [Ellis Genge – 8]
Solid darts if not scrummaging. Willing driver of rucks. He ain’t the wrecking ball he used to be, but it was better than last week. [Luke Cowan-Dickie – 6]
Do I know if Ellis Genge was cheating at the scrum? No. Nika Amashukeli didn’t think so though, and Zander was frequently pinged, causing major threats. Didn’t get much change out of carries. [Joe Heyes – 6]
Might just have played the great line-out servant Gilco into a squad-slot at best. Industrious and combative round the park. Wasn’t used as often as a target in the line-out but leaned into mauls and stood up to the supposedly scary English pack well, winning a pivotal defensive turnover. [Maro Itoje – 5]
Settling into a leadership role nicely. Could be seen barking orders ahead of line-outs, made a big maul sack when England had a five-metre line-out just before Arundell’s red card. Made an impressive 17 tackles along with all that. Only blot being conceding a penalty close to England’s line. [Ollie Chessum – 6]
Was having a pretty good day before getting injured just before half-time. Niggley and abrasive at the breakdown, was used in the line-out to good effect and got himself a cheeky wee try. [Guy Pepper – 6]
Silently brutal, like a defensive ninja. Four turnovers, 21 tackles. Against the much-vaunted pair of Sam Underhill and then Tom Curry, and you can add Henry Pollock’s stats in there too, he made more tackles and turnovers than the three of them combined. Was willing to carry into heavy traffic. [Sam Underhill – 5]
Smacked into breakdowns and tackles with the usual vigour, didn’t make huge amounts of ground with ball in hand. [Ben Earl – 8]
Encouraging start with the arrows and an involvement with ball in hand. knocked one on though. Squint arrow late on was called.
Didn’t really turn the direction of scrums. Couple of hard carries into traffic.
His best display in a Scotland jersey. Given his limited minutes behind Zander, he doesn’t get much chance to shine, but took his chance today. Has previously shown good work-rate and tackling solidity, won a scrum pen, and generally did really well.
Added good height and annoyingness in the line-outs and mauls. Didn’t have much else to do.
Played like a man equally pissed off at getting dropped to the bench and pissed off that they hurt the guy he had to come on for.
Charged down Ford’s drop-goal attempt and then had the wherewithal to execute the killer-pass to Jones. Took over as a reliable line-out jumper from Ritchie, and smashed into a few folk. Proper Matt Thugerson performance.
Kept folk on their toes. Hung kicks up for Steyn to chase. Scrappy in defence even after being bowled over by Earl.
He came on. He ran around a bit. I do not think he touched the ball or a breakdown. But his hair was perfect. (Aahh-hooo, Werewolves Of London. If Finn Russell was a musician he’d be Warren Zevon.)
Cracking tackle on Steward when the considerably bigger man looked like he had a run-in. Cancels out rather silly tap-and-go which got turned over.