ENGLAND’S new era ended in another bitter defeat as Steve Borthwick saw his side slump to Six Nations misery.
Winger Duhan van der Merwe’s last try summed up the defensive woes that proved so costly despite Borthwick’s men scoring three tries to get the Twickenham crowd roaring.
But two from winger Max Malins and the third from prop Ellis Genge were not enough as a series of missed tackles and mistakes allowed Scotland to clinch a hat-trick of Calcutta cup triumphs for the first time since 1972.
And while there was more for the fans to cheer than in the shocker against South Africa that cost Eddie Jones his job in November, Borthwick now knows the scale of his task in turning England around for the World Cup in September.
This was a game that summed up England’s failing, starting when Scotland scored from their first attack, 15 minutes in.
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It was down to brilliant play by Sione Tuipilota, who judged his grubber kick to perfection for centre partner Huw Jones to touch down beside the posts, Russell adding the extras.
But England allowed the play to develop far too easily and even after Malins judged Marcus Smith’s high kick perfectly to plunge on the ball as it dropped behind the try line, they did not learn.
Van der Merwe deserved praise for his barnstorming run from inside his own half, with England missing FIVE chances to nail him as the winger somehow managed to elude them all.
Even so, England turned round in front.
Finally getting their hands and feet in coordination, making ground at pace, the commitment engineered an opening secured as Lewis Ludlam sent Malins scampering over for his second.
And having missed both conversions, Owen Farrell then kicked over a penalty with the last action of the half to send England into the dressing room a point in front.
England took the momentum into the second half.
Smith sent a penalty close to the corner flag, the line-out drill worked and Genge rumbled over from close range, Farrell stretching the lead to eight.
Back to one soon after, as Scotland scrum half Ben White picked up a loose ball that had slipped between his legs and found himself in the space to run on from the 22.
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A penalty each for Farrell and Russell meant it went into the last 10 minutes with a solitary point between them.
But it was van der Merwe who made the killer move, given space on the left and running through Smith before forcing his way over the line despite the efforts of Malins, to leave England in despair again.
