Irresistible England turn open Six Nations into comfortable canter | Robert Kitson


Under Eddie Jones the defending champions have run away with a tournament that was expected to be the most competitive for years

It is easy to forget this was supposed to be the most open Six Nations in years. England, by retaining their title with a week to spare, have already cantered up the hill like a runaway Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite, leaving several notable records in their wake. Another grandstand finish in Dublin and they can enter the special enclosure reserved for the most elite of champions.

This was hardly Scottish rugby’s proudest weekend but, by anyone’s standards, the ruthlessness with which England carved up their stricken old rivals to equal their highest Calcutta Cup winning margin was impressive. Challenged to play with the tempo, controlled power and accuracy that had previously eluded them, they answered a good few questions with their 61-21 victory, which contained seven tries.

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