England beats Scotland to reign in Europe again
Source: Agencies |
March 15, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
IT has been a long time coming but, after eight years in the Six Nations wilderness, England is once again the team to beat in Europe.
Sunday's 22-16 victory over Scotland in London, was hardly impressive but it all but secured its first title since 2003 and victory over Ireland in Dublin this weekend would seal the deal with a grand slam, just as it did eight years ago.
Then, captained by current manager Martin Johnson, that success catapulted England to World Cup glory and if the class of 2011 still look short of being able to repeat that feat in New Zealand this year, they have come a long way.
"All the guys are pretty flat which is not a bad place after you've won four in a row," Johnson told reporters after Tom Croft's late try helped drag England past a Scottish team which had lost its previous three championship games and was a 16-1 outsider to record its first win at Twickenham in 28 years.
"France and Ireland have lost close games this weekend so it's good to be on the other side of it," Johnson added. "Teams are seeing what we're doing and having a plan to stop it, which is a compliment in a way as they probably weren't doing that 18 months or two years ago.
"We've got a good balance but we've just got to be a bit smarter."
The English were flat from the start and struggled to lift themselves as they were outfought at the breakdown by the Scots. They spilled the ball more times than in the previous three games combined and though eventually dominating both possession and territory England created only a handful of good openings.
"There were a lot of turnovers and knock-ons that kept them in the game," Johnson said. "We did some good things but then one error takes you back 60 yards.
Sunday's 22-16 victory over Scotland in London, was hardly impressive but it all but secured its first title since 2003 and victory over Ireland in Dublin this weekend would seal the deal with a grand slam, just as it did eight years ago.
Then, captained by current manager Martin Johnson, that success catapulted England to World Cup glory and if the class of 2011 still look short of being able to repeat that feat in New Zealand this year, they have come a long way.
"All the guys are pretty flat which is not a bad place after you've won four in a row," Johnson told reporters after Tom Croft's late try helped drag England past a Scottish team which had lost its previous three championship games and was a 16-1 outsider to record its first win at Twickenham in 28 years.
"France and Ireland have lost close games this weekend so it's good to be on the other side of it," Johnson added. "Teams are seeing what we're doing and having a plan to stop it, which is a compliment in a way as they probably weren't doing that 18 months or two years ago.
"We've got a good balance but we've just got to be a bit smarter."
The English were flat from the start and struggled to lift themselves as they were outfought at the breakdown by the Scots. They spilled the ball more times than in the previous three games combined and though eventually dominating both possession and territory England created only a handful of good openings.
"There were a lot of turnovers and knock-ons that kept them in the game," Johnson said. "We did some good things but then one error takes you back 60 yards.
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