Murrayfield shock leaves England rethinking after Scotland defeat ahead of Ireland test
Scotland’s win over England at Murrayfield has ripped the gloss off England’s Six Nations campaign and left head coach Steve Borthwick with an urgent set of decisions before Ireland visit the Allianz Stadium on Saturday (ET). Commentators and former players insist the defeat can still be used constructively, but the performance will force changes.
Grand Slam bid gone, championship still alive — but questions remain
The loss at Murrayfield extinguished the more glamorous talk of a Grand Slam, but the championship itself remains in reach. Former international Matt Dawson suggested the kind of pain England felt in defeats that lingered for years can be galvanising if handled correctly; he argued that hard lessons learned away from Twickenham could build the mentality needed for success on the world stage.
That perspective sits against a harsher appraisal of what went wrong on the field. England’s handling of pressure, decision-making and discipline were repeatedly exposed. Errors that once might have been shrugged off accumulated into a performance that left supporters and pundits asking how a side so dominant in recent months could be undone so comprehensively.
Borthwick’s week: selection, structure and the search for a second playmaker
Head coach Steve Borthwick now faces a compact and intense week. Analysts have highlighted a string of individual mistakes — including two yellow cards for Henry Arundell, a charged-down drop-goal attempt, and costly handling errors — but they also point to systemic issues. England missed a high number of tackles early, their kicking game failed to gain territorial dividends, and the absence of a genuine second playmaker left the attack lacking fluidity.
One immediate selection debate centers on reintegrating Ollie Lawrence into the starting XV. Lawrence’s form over the past year placed him among England’s most dangerous midfield options, yet he has been overlooked in favour of an experimental midfield partnership that struggled to contain Scotland’s ball carriers. Restoring experience and physicality in midfield is likely to be a priority ahead of Saturday’s test at the Allianz Stadium (ET).
Scotland’s strengths and the lessons England must take home
Scotland executed a clear game plan: fast starts, relentless pressure and ruthless exploitation of England’s mistakes. Their control of the physical exchanges and intelligent use of tempo forced England into rushed decisions. Scotland’s back-line reshaped England’s defensive patterns and punished missed tackles and turnovers.
For England, the path forward is straightforward in theory but difficult in practice. They must tighten discipline, sharpen their tactical kicking so it yields territory, and find the composure to finish scoring opportunities under pressure. More than one voice has urged Borthwick to prioritise a mentality that accepts the discomfort of winning away from home; big wins outside Twickenham are seen as essential preparation for global tournaments on neutral soil.
With little time to dwell on Murrayfield, England must convert setback into stimulus. The next selection announcements and the coaching response this week will indicate whether this defeat is the start of a worrying trend or a pivotal moment that steels the side for the tougher fixtures to come.
