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England's captain Chris Robshaw lifts the Calcutta Cup after their win against Scotland. Sang Tan/AP/Press Association Images
6 Nations

England too strong for Scots ahead of trip to Dublin

England visit the Aviva Stadium in eight days’ time.

ENGLAND START THEIR Six Nations campaign with a 38-18 Calcutta Cup win  today as Scotland’s 30-year wait for a Twickenham triumph was extended yet again.

Scotland’s first match under Australian interim coach Scott Johnson, assisted by ex-England forward Dean Ryan, saw them score the first try of the 131st meeting between rugby’s oldest international rivals as New Zealand-born wing Sean Maitland crossed on his Test debut.

But England, fresh from their record-breaking 38-21 win over world champions New Zealand last time out, hit back through Chris Ashton’s 17th try in 30 Tests.

And with fly-half Owen Farrell landing five out of five goalkicks in the opening period, England led 19-11 at half-time.

That became 24-11 when centre Billy Twelvetress marked his Test debut with a try shortly after the break and lock Geoff Parling increased England’s lead with his first international try. Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg, in a move started in front of his own line, scored a fine try 10 minutes from time but England replacement scrum-half Danny Care rounded off the try-count on the stroke of full-time.

- © AFP, 2012

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