Six Nations: England head coach Stuart Lancaster reflects on victory over Scotland

Stuart Lancaster: pleased with England's solid win over Scotland

We've been building steadily and getting more consistency over the last four months. That New Zealand game gave us a lot of confidence and hopefully we'll continue to build on that.

Stuart Lancaster
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England coach Stuart Lancaster was quietly content after beating Scotland 38-18 in their Six Nations opener at Twickenham.

The Red Rose were always in charge against Scott Johnson's visitors, whose ill-discipline allowed home fly-half Owen Farrell to boot four penalties.

Tries from Chris Ashton, debutant Billy Twelvetrees, Geoff Parling and Danny Care ensured a comfortable victory for England, who opened the tournament as favourites having beaten world champions New Zealand in the autumn.

Lancaster told the BBC afterwards: "I'm pleased with the scoreline. I definitely would have taken that at the start of the day. Our intent to play was excellent. We were a little bit loose on occasions but overall, I'm pleased with that start.

"We've been building steadily and getting more consistency over the last four months. That New Zealand game gave us a lot of confidence and hopefully we'll continue to build on that.

"We've got a massive challenge in Dublin (against Ireland) next Sunday so there's where everything points to now.

"We knew if we kept the pressure on Scotland that they'd struggle to deal with us in the last 20, but fair play to Scotland because their defence, work rate and commitment were outstanding."

On Twelvetrees' performance, Lancaster added: "It's great when you can get a player to make his debut in the Calcutta Cup and get a win like that. I just had a chat with him and he said he loved it, and that's what you want."

The Gloucester centre himself said: "I was delighted to get out there and play in front of a great Twickenham crowd. We just wanted to continue the momentum from the autumn and execute it. We did it in parts. Sometimes we were a bit poor but it's very exciting to get a first Six Nations win.

"It was nice to get on the scoreboard. It hasn't really sunk in yet because I just wanted to get on with my next job. I wanted to do what I do for Gloucester and compose myself in every job."