Sunday 25 February 2018 11:06, UK
Eddie Jones says England lacked intensity in their 25-13 defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Two tries from Huw Jones and a third by Sean Maitland swept the Scots to a first win against England since 2008, reigniting their NatWest 6 Nations title aspirations in the process.
The 128th Calcutta Cup match was a classic as Scotland matched their endeavour in attack - expertly orchestrated by Finn Russell - with a ferocity up-front that saw England over-run at the breakdown.
Jones was impressed by the home performance and blamed himself for only the second defeat of his 26 Tests in charge.
"Full credit to Scotland. They deserved the victory and played very well," Jones said.
"For some reason at the start of the game we lacked intensity. We invited them to the game and they took full advantage. They raced away. It is hard to get back
"I have got take responsibility for the performance because we weren't there. I take full responsibility and I have to work out what I did wrong and work out how to fix it.
"These are lessons you don't want to have but they're the best lessons in the world. We'll learn a lot from this.
"We weren't there in the first half and I take responsibility for it. I didn't prepare the team as well as I should have and that's my fault. I have to work out what I did wrong and work out how to fix it.
"We were ready for it. It's 138 years of rugby history. We knew the significance of the game, we knew what would get thrown at us at Murrayfield. I apologise for our performance."
Jones also refused to dwell on a tunnel scuffle involving Owen Farrell.
Reports emerged shortly before kick-off that Farrell had been involved in a fracas with Scotland No 8 Ryan Wilson as the teams left the pitch upon completing their warm-up with team-mates intervening to break up the fight.
Six Nations organisers are certain to investigate the incident and photographs confirm it took place, but Jones was unaware of what had happened.
"I've been coaching a game. I've been pretty busy. Are you aware of it? You can show it to me after the press conference, then we can have a chat about it," Jones said.
"In all seriousness, I don't know about it. If there was, we shouldn't let that detract from a great Scotland victory. Don't get distracted by other things.
Scotland captain John Barclay, who was reported to have broken up the scuffle, had knowledge of the scuffle but was absent when it took place.
"I've heard about this but I was in the toilets. I was first in after the warm-up to relieve myself," Barclay said.
"I don't know how much of it's true or what happened. It maybe gets played up, made more of than what it was. The intensity and quality of play was what mattered. Not that."
