9. Danny Care – 5
Unfortunate performance from Danny Care, as the hectic, misshapen approach to proceedings asked questions of the Harlequin. Misplaced a handful of kicks, in what was an underwhelming effort from the boot. Unable to track across after Finn Russell found van der Merwe with a cross-field kick, with the wing completing his hat-trick.
1. Ellis Genge – vice captain – 6
Strong first half performance from the Bristol Bears man, as he presented good line speed to shift off the line. Genge helped in the forcing the Scottish handling errors, yet clattered into his own player with his shoulder tucked, in which he escaped a yellow card.
2. Jamie George – captain – 7.5
England players all wore black armbands in support of Jamie George, following the recent passing of his mother. The courageous England captain was amongst the best players for Steve Borthwick’s side, with a solid tackling effort around the park. Heaviest hit was a hit on Blair Kinghorn, who had picked up a full head of steam.
3. Dan Cole – 6.5
The veteran worked his socks off and implied the tricks of the trade to win penalties in the scrum. Amongst the more vocal members of the England pack following a penalty, and received a talking too from the referee; ‘Shout for a decision like that and I’ll reverse it’.
4. Maro Itoje – vice captain – 7
Strong performance in the air, as the Saracen orchestrated the set-piece and worked with Chessum in their fabled partnership. After battering himself into the tackles and carries, Itoje was held up at a 70th minute carry, after peppering the Scotland line on either side of the ball.
5. Ollie Chessum – 6
Tireless work rate around the park, the Leicester Tigers man carried well and wrestled his way over the gain-line for the hard yards. Lost the ball in contact at 71 minutes, when England could have rallied up an attack, it was a mixed bag from the lock on a difficult day.
6. Ethan Roots – 5.5
Offside at the half hour mark, as England were sometimes over eager in their do-or-die blitz defence. Missed the ball in the air, as England lost the 43rd minute line-out, in the build up to van Der merwe 3rd try. Off for George Martin (47’)