Eddie Jones launches England reign with Six Nations victory over Scotland

Eddie Jones began his stint as England’s head coach with a win over Scotland on Saturday night. The 56-year-old Australian replaced Stuart Lancaster in November following England’s disastrous run in the rugby union world cup.

Eddie Jones took over as England rugby union team's head coach in November. Reuters/Russell Cheyne

Lancaster’s men failed to qualify for the quarter-finals giving them the dubious honour of the first host nation which failed to reach the knockout stages. They were also the first England team not to progress from the pool round of games.

Jones led a spirited Japan side at the world cup and though they did not make it to the latter part of the competition, they did impress with their nous and grit by beating South Africa in their opening game.

England showed similar resilience during the victory at Murrayfield.. The visitors were slightly ahead at half-time.
George Kruisùs try was converted by Owen Farrell but Greg Laidlaw punished England’s indiscipline by kicking two penalties.

Jack Nowell scored to give England a 12-6 lead just after the break and Farrell converted a penalty to afford England some breathing space. Even when Laidlaw’s penalty brought it back to 15-9, Jones’s men were rugged enough to close out the victory.

“I always thought we’d win the game unless we did something silly,” said Jones after the match.

The defeat leaves Scotland without a Calcutta Cup victory since 2008. Scotland head coach Vern Cotter said: The players are disappointed. The game was there to be won and that’s the hard cold facts.”