Will Greenwood slams Steve Borthwick selection gamble that “cost England dearly”

Sunday, 15 February 2026 at 07:26

byRugby Rucker

Rampant Scotland tore England apart at a rocking Murrayfield Stadium, bouncing back from their Six Nations defeat to Italy in devastating fashion to claim a bonus-point Calcutta Cup victory.

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Inspired and orchestrated by the irrepressible Finn Russell, the hosts played with a precision and ruthlessness that left England chasing shadows. It was a statement response — and a sobering night for Steve Borthwick’s men.

Former England centre Will Greenwood did not mince his words in the aftermath.

, Greenwood said:

The Telegraph

“What a reality check this defeat is for England. Steve Borthwick still possesses an awesomely powerful squad but they continue to make some daft decisions.

"We can debate these until the cows come home but Alex Mitchell was exposed once again defending on the wing – I’m happy to challenge anyone of any generation as to why this does not work – George Ford’s decision to drop-kick for goal was awful, and the selection (mainly the bench) was a risk that did not pay off.”

Greenwood’s sharpest focus fell on England’s replacements and the decision to go with a six-two bench split.

“A six-two bench split is always dangerous no matter who you pick, but without a bona fide utility back? Even riskier. I would have had Marcus over Fin Smith in the No 23 shirt, and I said it before the game. That said, I do think that Fin is England’s second best fly-half behind Ford so I understand Borthwick’s predicament but I think picking Fin over Marcus cost England dearly.”

For Greenwood, the issue was not a lack of talent — it was judgement. England, on paper, remain stacked with power and depth. But against a Scotland side reborn and clinical, fine margins mattered.

And on this occasion, Greenwood believes those margins were lost long before the final whistle.

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"2/10" - Six England players who flopped vs Scotland - who should replacement

Here are six England players who flopped at Murrayfield – and who should replace them.

Fraser Dingwall – Exposed in Midfield

Telegraph 3 | Rugby Pass 4

What they said

Telegraph: “A match where his limitations were exposed opposite a Test Lion. England were cut apart too easily in the midfield.”
Rugby Pass: “Like every outside England back, Dingwall was totally neutered by a rampant Scottish defence.”
Planet Rugby: "So often seen as the key link player in this attack, but struggled to really shine with his side’s attack stifled. "

England’s midfield looked alarmingly porous, and Dingwall struggled badly against elite opposition. Defensive frailties and a lack of cutting edge in attack left England blunt in the 13 channel.

Replacement: Ollie Lawrence

Henry Arundell – Indiscipline Proves Costly

RUCK 2 | Express 2 | Telegraph 2 | Rugby Pass 2

What they said

Rugby Pass: Yellow carded for not releasing after scrambling to prevent a try, with England conceding 14 points while he was off. Scored, but his second yellow – and red – for taking Kyle Steyn out in the air was hugely costly.
Telegraph: “Test rugby can be brutal. Two moments of mistiming and two yellow cards which cost England the game.”
Express: “Hat-trick hero last week, brainless red card villain this week.”
RUCK: Two yellow cards in the opening 40 minutes is simply unacceptable at this level.

From hero to villain in seven days. Arundell’s finishing instinct remains sharp, but his discipline handed momentum – and ultimately the match – to Scotland.

Replacement: Ollie Hassell-Collins

Ellis Genge – One Error, Huge Consequences

RUCK 4

What they said

RUCK: “Was solid at scrum time but it is hard to look past his mistake that led to Scotland’s third. Genge found himself facing his own try-line dealing with a Finn Russell kick through, but fumbled it and let Ben White in for an easy finish.”

The scrum held up reasonably well, but Test rugby is unforgiving. One handling error deep in his own 22 proved catastrophic.

Replacement: Bevan Rodd

Sam Underhill – Hooked at Half-Time

RUCK 5 | Express 5 | Telegraph 4 | Rugby Pass 4 | Planet Rugby 4

What they said

Rugby Pass: Slipped off a tackle on his Bath Rugby team-mate Finn Russell, who kicked through for Scotland’s third try. Made just five tackles in 40 minutes before being replaced.
Telegraph: “Uncharacteristically missed a host of tackles which summed up England’s disastrous defence.”
RUCK: “Came off at half-time after a pretty unremarkable half.”
Planet Rugby: "Has had better days in an England shirt and certainly will have better days moving forward."

Underhill is usually England’s defensive enforcer. On this occasion, he was uncharacteristically off the pace and paid the price.

Replacement: Tom Curry

Guy Pepper – Quiet in the Chaos

RUCK 5 | Express 5 | Telegraph 5 | Rugby Pass 5

What they said

Rugby Pass: Three dominant tackles in 56 minutes but struggled to truly influence proceedings.
Telegraph: Missed a crucial tackle on Finn Russell in the build-up to White’s try and conceded two penalties.
Express: “Rising star was unusually quiet in the onslaught.”
RUCK: “Tried and tried but to very little avail.”
Planet Rugby: "Solid enough, but couldn’t quite have his usual effect on proceedings before being subbed off in the second-half."

A tough afternoon for the young back-rower, who couldn’t impose himself in a ferocious breakdown battle.

Replacement: Henry Pollock

Maro Itoje – Captain Lacked Impact

RUCK 4.5 | Express 5 | Telegraph 4 | Rugby Pass 5

What they said

Rugby Pass: Left covering too much space for Scotland’s opener, spilled possession in a promising position and didn’t last an hour.
Telegraph: “England needed more from their captain… Looked off the pace.”
Express: Good effort before being surprisingly replaced on 56 minutes.
RUCK: “Got massively outpaced on the wing for Scotland’s first try… Simply didn’t have the desired impact.”

England needed leadership and authority — instead they got a subdued display from their skipper.

Replacement: Alex Coles