England hit the ground running as a performance full of energy, aggression and no little ambition brought tries for Chris Ashton, Billy Twelvetrees, Geoff Parling and Danny Care in a 38-18 Six Nations victory over Scotland at Twickenham yesterday.

The imperious Owen Farrell kicked 18 points as England recorded their biggest win over Scotland in six years.

Scotland did take a surprise early lead with a debut try from New Zealand-born wing Sean Maitland and they mounted a brief late rally with Stuart Hogg’s breakaway try.

But the game had long been up by then and Scotland’s 30-year wait for a win over England at Twickenham goes on.

England were back at their headquarters for the first time since the autumn triumph over world champions New Zealand, in which Manu Tuilagi had been the destroyer-in-chief.

Tuilagi’s injury-enforced absence prompted a midfield reshuffle with Brad Barritt shifted to outside centre and Twelvetrees had made clear his intention to lay roots in the 12 jersey.

The 24-year-old son of a tree surgeon did all he could. Twelvetrees linked effectively with Farrell, he carried with real purpose and he took his try expertly, picking a superb angle to crash over from close range.

Twelvetrees offers a greater attacking dimension than Barritt and he made a strong case to retain his place in the squad for next Sunday’s trip to Ireland, when Tuilagi is expected to be fit.

Earlier in the day, Ireland inflicted an eighth successive defeat on last season’s Six Nations champions and grand slam winners Wales whose fall from grace continued with a 30-22 loss in the opening game of the tournament.

Wales were stunned by a 20-point salvo from Ireland in the opening 28 minutes that brought converted tries for wing Simon Zebo and prop Cian Healy.

Returning former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll went over from a metre out, his 46th international try in 121 matches, early in the second half and although Wales countered with scores from Alex Cuthbert, Leigh Halfpenny and Craig Mitchell, their stirring fightback fell short.

No side has won back to back grand slams since France in the old Five Nations in 1997 and 1998.

O’Driscoll, who is seeking selection for a fourth Lions tour this year, was named man-of-the-match.

“We started really well, we came out of the blocks in the first half and played really well,” he told BBC television.

“In fairness they were not going to be flat for the whole game and they really put it to us in the second half. They built momentum and if you can build it, it’s hard to stop it.”

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