"2/10" - Six England players who flopped vs Scotland - who should replace them

Fraser Dingwall – Exposed in Midfield

• Telegraph: “A match where his limitations were exposed opposite a Test Lion. England were cut apart too easily in the midfield.”
• Rugby Pass: “Like every outside England back, Dingwall was totally neutered by a rampant Scottish defence.”
• Planet Rugby: "So often seen as the key link player in this attack, but struggled to really shine with his side’s attack stifled. "

Henry Arundell – Indiscipline Proves Costly

• Rugby Pass: Yellow carded for not releasing after scrambling to prevent a try, with England conceding 14 points while he was off. Scored, but his second yellow – and red – for taking Kyle Steyn out in the air was hugely costly.
• Telegraph: “Test rugby can be brutal. Two moments of mistiming and two yellow cards which cost England the game.”
• Express: “Hat-trick hero last week, brainless red card villain this week.”
• RUCK: Two yellow cards in the opening 40 minutes is simply unacceptable at this level.

Ellis Genge – One Error, Huge Consequences

• RUCK: “Was solid at scrum time but it is hard to look past his mistake that led to Scotland’s third. Genge found himself facing his own try-line dealing with a Finn Russell kick through, but fumbled it and let Ben White in for an easy finish.”

Sam Underhill – Hooked at Half-Time

• Rugby Pass: Slipped off a tackle on his Bath Rugby team-mate Finn Russell, who kicked through for Scotland’s third try. Made just five tackles in 40 minutes before being replaced.
• Telegraph: “Uncharacteristically missed a host of tackles which summed up England’s disastrous defence.”
• RUCK: “Came off at half-time after a pretty unremarkable half.”
• Planet Rugby: "Has had better days in an England shirt and certainly will have better days moving forward."

Guy Pepper – Quiet in the Chaos

• Rugby Pass: Three dominant tackles in 56 minutes but struggled to truly influence proceedings.
• Telegraph: Missed a crucial tackle on Finn Russell in the build-up to White’s try and conceded two penalties.
• Express: “Rising star was unusually quiet in the onslaught.”
• RUCK: “Tried and tried but to very little avail.”
• Planet Rugby: "Solid enough, but couldn’t quite have his usual effect on proceedings before being subbed off in the second-half."

Maro Itoje – Captain Lacked Impact

• Rugby Pass: Left covering too much space for Scotland’s opener, spilled possession in a promising position and didn’t last an hour.
• Telegraph: “England needed more from their captain… Looked off the pace.”
• Express: Good effort before being surprisingly replaced on 56 minutes.
• RUCK: “Got massively outpaced on the wing for Scotland’s first try… Simply didn’t have the desired impact.”

EDITORS PICKS:

• Ireland player ratings vs Italy: 2026 Six Nations
• The best pubs to watch the 2026 Six Nations in
• Win 2027 Six Nations tickets with ISUZU
• Fans surprised to learn Brian O’Driscoll is married to a famous Irish actress
• Henry Arundell red card explained: Sent off for second yellow