‘I didn’t prepare the team well enough’ – Eddie Jones reacts as Scotland end 38-year Twickenham hoodoo to beat England

Scotland ended their Twickenham hoodoo with a convincing win over England (Picture: Getty)

A despondent England head coach Eddie Jones admitted he ‘didn’t prepare the team well enough’ after Scotland edged to a hard-fought 11-6 victory at Twickenham, their first win at the stadium since 1983.

Finn Russell produced an eye-catching performance on his return for Scotland’s Six Nations 2021 opener and helped set up Duhan van Der Merwe’s try in the 30th minute as the visitors dominated territory and possession.

Owen Farrell converted a pair of penalties to reduce the deficit and make it 8-6 at the halfway stage but the Scots extended their lead in the 49th minute as an inspired Russell capitalised on England’s ill discipline with his boot.

Van Der Merwe crossed over on the half-hour mark (Picture: Getty)

Gregor Townsend’s men maintained their advantage to get their hands on the Calcutta Cup and a shell-shocked England – the reigning champions and favourites heading into this year’s tournament – will have to pick themselves up ahead of their clash with Italy next weekend.

‘Firstly, congratulations to Scotland. They played very well, a lot of intent and a lot of spirit and we had one of those days,’ Jones told ITV Sport shortly after the final whistle.

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‘I didn’t prepare the team well enough, we weren’t quite right and we were a long way off our best.’

Asked what was lacking in England’s preparation, Jones said: ‘I’m not sure and if I knew I would have fixed it!

‘You just have days like that. It’s my responsibility every time the team goes on the field so I accept that.

‘We weren’t good enough today, we accept that so congratulations to Scotland.’

Jones’ side got off to the worst possible start in the tournament (Picture: Getty)

Farrell conceded that England struggled to ‘really get a grip’ after Scotland’s strong start and were guilty of gifting the opposition needless penalties across the 80 minutes.

‘Obviously massive credit to Scotland first and foremost, the way that they played kept us out the game,’ the England captain said.

‘They got off to a good start and a fair bit of momentum of the back of a few penalties from us.

‘They got the try and they kept us out to be fair to them. It didn’t seem like we could really get a grip of it.’

On England’s poor discipline, Farrell replied: ‘It’s not just that, we gave easy outs at times.

‘But it’s obviously something that we’ll look at and something we were aware of going into the game but we compounded them today.’

Scotland secured the Calcutta Cup with a statement performance at Twickenham (Picture: Getty)

Townsend was grinning from ear to ear in his post-match interview with ITV Sport said there was a ‘good feeling’ within the Scotland camp heading into game.

‘What an outstanding start to the championship,’ he said.

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‘There was just a calmness about the way we played, a togetherness and an effort level that was superb.

‘We had a good feeling the last couple of weeks, the way the players trained and bonded, that we would play well.

‘But it was the first game of the championship, and the first time for a few people in the team for a while, or a few on their debuts, and they performed so well and that was above expectation.

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‘What stood out to me was the players’ leadership. You could hear them on the field with no crowd.

‘They were in control, and they’ll have grown so much with that performance.’

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