England deserves better

The crowd howled and screeched but Jonny Wilkinson took no notice. Neither did Frank Malley – he was looking at something far more disturbing.

The crowd howled and screeched but Jonny Wilkinson took no notice.

He paused in that familiar crouched style which has become his trademark and with a swish of his left leg he booted open the gates to history.

It took a shade more than 26 minutes of England's dismal, at times shambolic, 15-9 defeat against Scotland for Wilkinson to ease past Neil Jenkins as the most prolific points scorer in rugby history.

In truth, it was the one memorable English moment in an Six Nations rugby match which could quite easily be prosecuted under the trade descriptions act.

For huge swathes of a rain-sodden, tryless, witless afternoon two rugby teams, purporting to be of international standard, played an impromptu version of kicking tennis which defiled the memory of sport's oldest international fixture.

It prompted one English gentleman of more than ample proportions to announce as he fled for his half-time pie: “If this is a Test match I'm an anorexic.”

And you had to wonder how England could have slid so far so quickly from the side who contested the World Cup final less than five months ago.

It was an afternoon interspersed with the filthiest of weather as well as periods of blue skies and calm.

And Scotland, who were stubborn and gutsy and courageous in equal measure, are masters of intimidation, especially when England are in town.

So the blue shirts ran out amid plumes of flame, a Braveheart character twirled a flag. The obligatory skirl of bagpipes filled the air.

Why, they even arranged for an Edinburgh squall to blow into Murrayfield with the military fly past just as the teams were about to kick off.

But that was no reason for England to play brainless rugby against a side who had lost all three of their Six Nations matches this season.

Where was the forward domination which Andrew Sheridan and captain Phil Vickery had supplied so influentially against France?

Where was the drive which made second row Simon Shaw one of the World Cup's outstanding forwards?

And when is error-strewn Lesley Vainikolo going to provide evidence that he merits the privilege of wearing the white shirt with the red rose?

And yes, you have to ask, where was the guile and the composure which is supposed to be supplied by Wilkinson?

There is good reason why many observers have been pleading for Danny Cipriani to be given his chance in the number 10 shirt. Good reason why there was so much disappointment when head coach Brian Ashton dropped him, somewhat harshly, from his debut this week for a naive assignation at a London club.

Cipriani exudes invention and imagination and as soon as he is forgiven and restored the better.

But if there was little flowing rugby there was drama.

The first half was punctuated by one of those sickening collisions which are a sportsman's worst nightmare.

A kick through was chased by full-back Iain Balshaw, Scotland wing Rory Lamont bravely dropped on the ball and Balshaw's knee caught Lamont in the head as he slid through.

Some might say Balshaw was reckless, others conclude that it was one of sport's perils.

The match was held up for the best part of 10 minutes while Lamont was treated and taken to hospital and the biggest cheer of the afternoon came at half-time with the tannoy announcer's bulletin that he was “recovering and stable.”

Matches such as this need brave hearts and cool minds. Enter Chris Paterson, the Scotland fly-half who kicked five penalties to Wilkinson's three.

Where does it all leave Ashton's England renaissance?

You may well ask. The fact is that his attempt to blend youth and experience is riddled with inconsistency. There is no sign of a structured plan. No evidence that England have a style of play.

Too much of their work is kick and hope.

The sight of Wilkinson being replaced by Charlie Hodgson after 69 minutes only symbolised their sterility.

The history man was gone. Brave and brilliant and record breaking as he has been – 1,099 points now to his credit – you cannot help thinking that England's future may soon lie in another direction.