Wasted opportunities. So many wasted opportunities for the English. They had a chance to control the competition with a big victory over the Scottish and fluffed it, over 5 gaping opportunities went missing, and that could have put them in the driving seat with just one round to go, as it is they will need a big performance against France and hope the Welsh and Irish don't score too many. We will look at what went right and wrong for both sides, and suggest where they can go from here, starting by analysing the players that impressed us.
The Scottish fullback was certainly the most impressive player on the pitch wearing blue, he made 3 early try saving tackles to keep Scotland in the game and actually ensure they went in to half time with a lead. His pace showed when he tackled Mike Brown just before the line and forced a turnover, and he was the shining light and saving grace for Verne Cotter's side.
Jack Nowell
In our preview we said Jack Nowell would have a good game, and we were proved right, grabbing a try, 185 metres made and 8 defenders beaten, he looked sharp and dangerous, although his butter fingers let him down on various occasions. With his form, his 4 clean breaks should have resulted in more than the one try however, but this game will give the young winger a lot of confidence.
Courtney Lawes
Another player we looked at briefly before the game was Courtney Lawes, who had a massive impact on his return to the England side, and got robbed of man of the match by some impatient television workers. He made big tackles, and his ability to get out of the line quickly and hit rucks at pace is something England missed greatly against Ireland.
The biggest disappointment of the game was Luther Burrell, who showed that he isn't the player to wear the number 12 shirt for England in the world cup, the English will be looking to the likes of Slade, Tuilagi or Eastmond to fill that role. The Scottish will be pretty pleased to have only lost by 12 points, when it really should have been a lot more. They won't take much away from the game, they will just know that they were lucky to hold on to their dignity as England wasted opportunity after opportunity. This will need to change for the English next week as they eye the title, they have the good luck to play last, meaning they know what is required in order to win the 6 Nations, and will adapt their game plan accordingly. Who are the favourites to win the tournament? Judging by Scotland's performance against England, the favourites have to be Ireland, with a points difference not much worse than England's and a game against the wooden spoon contenders, if Sexton is firing then they should still take home the title in spite of their performance against Wales on Saturday.
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