Lancaster's young English side get off to a winning start in Scotland

 Charlie Hodgson showed he still has quick reactions as he charged down Dan Parks' kick and gathered the ball to score England's only try

In a frantic start to the match, Dan Parks put up a high ball from the kick-off and Dave Strettle was put in to touch. Jim Hamilton then charged through England’s defensive line.

George Clancy awarded England a penalty after Lee Jones was scythed down by Strettle’s strong tackle and good work at the breakdown from Brad Barritt. England kicked to the corner, but nothing came of it.

A series of scrappy phases and handling errors followed.

Ben Foden fielded a kick well and counter-attacked with serious pace, and then Richie Gray went off his feet at the ruck to give Owen Farrell his first attempt at goal in a senior England shirt. Unfortunately, Farrell could not make a dream start to his international career as he pushed the kick to the right of the posts.

England looked to throw the ball wide, but a poor pass from Charlie Hodgson put pressure on his outside colleagues. Mouritz Botha could have put Chris Ashton in for a likely score, however, the pass was too high and the ball flew in to touch.

A disagreement between Captain Chris Robshaw and Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter sparked some excitement around Murrayfield as both teams fronted up to each other with some choice words.

Charlie Hodgson put up a huge kick in to the night air and the chase was convincing from England as Strettle took advantage of Scottish miss-communication to take possession. Referee Clancy awarded England a penalty just outside of the 22 and the young Saracen Farrell made no mistake with his second attempt as he opened the scoring with a confident strike at goal, Scotland 0 England 3

Scotland finally put some phases together and put enough pressure on England to force Robshaw off his feet in front of the posts. Dan Parks levelled the scores, Scotland 3 England 3

The Scottish crowd exploded with noise when Max Evans broke away after Foden’s kick failed to make touch. Evans chipped ahead and Hodgson made a mess of calling a mark, luckily Tom Croft was on hand to provide support.

Scottish ball came slowly and Parks’ back moves looked predictable. On turnover ball, Barritt looked to spread the ball wide, but he was called back for a forward pass.

Clancy came back for a scrum to England because of advantage and in a bizarre move; Chris Ashton was given the ball at first receiver. He was hunted down by the eager Cusiter and his forwards won a penalty for Scotland. Parks slotted the attempt at goal to put his team in to the lead, Scotland 6 England 3

Andy Robinson’s men started to look well drilled before half-time; they held possession well and looked to set Parks up for a drop-goal. However, some forwards got in the way and the platform had to be re-made for the Cardiff fly-half. A handling error brought about Clancy’s whistle for half time.

Half time: Scotland 6 England 3

Second Half

The Murrayfield crowd were silenced just thirty seconds after half-time when Hodgson charged-down Park’s attempted clearance kick and dotted down. The TMO confirmed the grounding of the ball and Clancy awarded the try. Farrell stepped up and slotted the conversion to put England in to a four point lead, Scotland 6 England 10

David Denton showed some pace and carrying strength when he found himself on the left wing, however, he was brought down by an excellent tackle from Foden who managed to sweep the agile number eight in to touch.

England made a scintillating counter-attack as Hodgson released Ashton down the left-wing. The ball was re-cycled and Hodgson floated a cross-kick intended for Strettle who collected the ball ahead of Richie Gray, but the winger gave away a penalty for holding on when he was tackled.

Gray made a rampaging run right in to England’s 22; however, Alasdair Strokosch was unable to collect the Glasgow giant’s offload. From the resulting scrum, Lancaster’s men were back peddling, but Ross Ford was penalised for not rolling away at the breakdown. This allowed England to clear their lines.

With twenty minutes to go, Scotland found space on the left-wing and Lee Jones chipped ahead. The covering wing Ashton was lucky as the ball bounced in to his hands and he cleared the ball in to touch.

 The Scots piled on the pressure and with advantage in hand, Greg Laidlaw chipped ahead and beat Ben Youngs to the ball. A length TMO decision followed and the try was not awarded to Laidlaw.  Advantage was deemed to be over so England cleared their lines.

The onslaught was not over, flanker Ross Rennie made a break on the outside shoulder of substitute Matt Stephens and looked to draw Foden and release Laidlaw or Mike Blair. Rennie was indecisive and Foden managed to stop the pass getting away.

England survived another attack on their line when obstruction was called against Scotland.

A few minutes later, youngster and debutant Farrell had a long attempt at goal from a penalty, but his kick fell just short of the crossbar.

England forced a turnover and Farrell kicked the ball deep in to the Scottish 22. Tom Croft’s kick chase was outstanding for a back-row forward late in the game.

With seven minutes left on the clock, England was awarded a penalty from approximately 35 metres out. Farrell composed himself and sent the ball through the posts, Scotland 6 England 13

Farrell nearly was caught out for a simple error after the ball was passed back in to the 22 from Lee Dickson. Farrell’s kick did not bounce before it made touch, but bizarrely Scotland opted to take the line-out quickly instead of on England’s 22 metre line. The Scots had one last chance when Farrell knocked on from the returning kick.

The clock ran past 80 and Scotland was awarded a penalty, with no time for the line-out, the Scots had to run the ball in hope of a converted try to draw. However, the ball was knocked out in to touch. The final whistle blew to the delight of Robshaw and his team.

Full time: Scotland 6 England 13

Man of the match: Brad Barritt, the Saracens centre was in fantastic defensive form and has shown he has the work rate and physicality needed at centre at international level.

Scotland still can not find a way to the try-line. England’s defence was outstanding and their discipline should be applauded. However, Lancaster’s squad will need to provide more in attack next week.

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