It could go pear-shaped for Eddie very quickly

YOU could, literally, count the onlookers at a deserted Twickenham yesterday on the fingers of one hand but one solitary figure hunched against the rain and cold was Lions coach Warren Gatland and wouldn’t you just give a penny for his thoughts this morning.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

For the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours Gatland was noticeably unimpressed with the credentials of potential Scottish candidates, scarcely bothering to pick any of them for his squads. Gatland’s Lions team have essentially been Ireland/England/Wales combos.

Well that will definitely change if the 2021 tour goes ahead in any shape or form. Yesterday was virtually a one-on-one job interview with Gatland for many of them. It couldn’t get more up close and personal, even in these socially distanced times.

There were Scots all over the field yesterday putting their hands up. Away wins against England count double, especially in Lions years. If you can tackle the English at their citadel you can take on the rest of the world. And as 11-6 wins go this was an absolute shellacking for England, I have never seen a team finish within five points of the winners, yet be so totally outplayed and outclassed. England were battered from start to finish.

There were some Scots who we already know plenty about such as Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell who not only underlined their claims but enhanced them massivley.

Hogg – one of the few from north of the border picked in 2013 and 2017 but injured on both tours – is much more consistent and less frenetic since he has found his home from home down in Exeter.

To these eyes he has also rediscovered those towering kicks – clearing and tactical – that marked him out in the early years. Both were in evidence yesterday. Captaincy suits him as well, he is more confident but less strident. Hogg is in his absolute pomp and a joy to watch in action.