Six Nations 2024: Steve Borthwick says England's defeat by Scotland was a 'painful experience'

England's fourth defeat in a row by Scotland was a "painful experience", said head coach Steve Borthwick.

Duhan van der Merwe scored a superb hat-trick as Scotland won 30-21 at Murrayfield to end England's 100% record in this year's Six Nations.

England led 10-0 early on but lost their way as Scotland dominated.

"This is a painful experience for the team and for England supporters, and we will make sure we learn from it to be better in the future," said Borthwick.

England made 24 handling errors and conceded 22 turnovers in a ragged display.

"When you make that number of handling errors at this level, it's very difficult to win, especially against a team of Scotland's quality.

"Ultimately we made it too easy for Scotland to score, but they were very clinical.

"It's a huge lesson for our team as we develop. The number of turnovers made it very difficult to win."

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• Rugby Union Daily podcast: Four in a row for Scotland

Borthwick, who had won eight of his previous nine games, is rebuilding his team after guiding England to a third-place finish at the World Cup.

England started well and scored a well-worked try through full-back George Furbank, but only a late score from replacement winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso prevented an even bigger defeat.

Borthwick pointed to his side's inexperienced combinations compared to the settled line-up Scotland's Gregor Townsend put out.

"We'd all love progression to be a nice linear path but ultimately it's not, especially when you are trying to do it at this level," said Borthwick.

"What you saw is a team that is trying to develop, a team that is trying to add layers to their game.

"We made errors and got punished - sometimes you get away with it, sometimes you don't. Against a team like Scotland, you don't.

"It's a big learning experience, it's a real painful lesson against a Scotland team that's been together a long time."

This was England's first game using the combination of fly-half George Ford and centres Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade.

For Scotland, fly-half Finn Russell has played alongside Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones since the 2023 Six Nations.

"There was a lack of cohesion and too many fundamental errors," added Borthwick.

"We know today wasn't good enough. It is going to take some work and we know that."

England's Six Nations must not unravel - Monye

England's next match is at Twickenham against impressive Six Nations leaders Ireland before they finish their campaign away to France.

Borthwick's side will have to win one of those games to avoid finishing a fourth successive Six Nations with only two wins from their five games.

"Off the back of this, what is really important is that this Six Nations doesn't unravel," former England wing Ugo Monye said on BBC One.

"England can't end the Six Nations by losing three in a row."

'Loose' England punished after bright start

Borthwick's side were behind against both Italy and Wales in the opening two rounds at half-time but came back to win.

Captain Jamie George said the opening period at Murrayfield was "the best" he has seen his side play for a "little while".

"We really felt in a good way coming into this," George said.

"In games, we've lacked foundation and made life hard for ourselves but the first 20 minutes of the game is probably the best I've seen us play for a little while.

"I don't have any issues with how we played in the first half but then we were a little bit loose in terms of the ball. We gave the ball to Finn Russell and Van der Merwe and they can create magic, and they did that."

Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson was concerned with the way England "went into freefall" after Scotland's first try.

"There was a capitulation," he told the Rugby Union Daily podcast.

"It was all England possession and territory at the start but as the minutes went by they lost confidence, attacking shape and kept spilling the ball.

"Scotland did the opposite and gained momentum. They withstood England's brilliant opening storm and then England had nothing else."

The turning point

The pick of the scores was Van der Merwe's second try.

England were leading 10-7 when the winger collected the ball on halfway and raced around England's Ben Earl before accelerating clear to finish spectacularly in the corner.

"To dance around Ben Earl and sprint down the touchline in what you know is going to be a tight game - you need moments of magic and players to stand up and he did that," said Monye.

"Not only is it a brilliant finish, I don't think England recovered emotionally from that."

In three games, England have only scored six tries but conceded eight as they get used to a new defensive system.

"We are seeing really good players make poor decisions," Monye added.

"I am slightly baffled because when I watch these players in the Premiership and in Europe I think they don't make these poor mistakes or errors."

Scotland's Calcutta Cup dominance

Scotland have won five of the last seven matches and have won four in a row for the first time since 1893-1896.

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