Lancaster lauds England attitude

Stuart Lancaster

Published: 7:34am, 5th February 2012
Updated: 6:39pm, 5th February 2012

England's interim head coach Stuart Lancaster hailed the character of his young side after they lifted the Calcutta Cup with a dogged 13-6 victory over Scotland.

Charlie Hodgson's try from charged-down kick ultimately proved the difference on an evening at Murrayfield when Scotland had enough chances to win it. England had to hold them out at the end and Lancaster put defensive effort down to the new culture he has worked to build in the squad.

"This is a very difficult place to come and win. It has been a great result for us," Lancaster said.

"We have been delighted with the attitude we showed, particularly in defence. Our discipline was very good and our desire to work hard, play for each other, play for the shirt.

"They are the things we have talked about and it was great to see them come through. We have talked a lot about work rate, working hard for each other and fostering a spirit and it showed on the field.

"We didn't get everything right but we got a lot of things right. We are delighted to come here and get started. Overall it was that sense of collective spirit to play for each other and keep working and working.

"To get the try (in the first minute of the second half) was very important. It gave us a foothold on game that allowed us to grow in confidence. Owen (Farrell) kicked the penalty at the end which was nerveless to give us that buffer but we had to work right to the end with Scotland's passion and tenacity."

The central theme of Lancaster's tenure has been to restore a sense of pride in representing England that he felt had been lost at the World Cup.

Chris Robshaw lifted the Calcutta Cup on only his second Test appearance while seven players made the England debuts, including three in the starting team.

"It was a tremendous effort from all the guys," Robshaw said. "Whenever you play away from home you don't have as much ball as you would like but everyone defended for their lives and it really showed what it means to each other, how proud we are to play for each other and for the nation."