Dejected Dylan Hartley challenged his men to shrug off their Calcutta Cup misery and keep fighting for Six Nations success in the final two games.
The captain wiped away the tears of a confidence-sapping defeat by Scotland – a first against them for 10 years – to issue his rally cry as England licked their Murrayfield wounds.
Owen Farrell had been involved in a pre-match bust-up with Scotland stars as he and his rivals pushed and grabbed each other in the tunnel while walking off after warming-up. The brawling players had to be pulled apart by team-mates before returning to their respective dressing rooms.
England captain Dylan Hartley admitted England’s dressing room was a quiet one on Saturday
Sadly, for England they lost the fight that mattered on the field as two tries from man of the match centre Huw Jones gave Scotland their first victory over England in 10 years, and the 25-13 victory.
Ireland, who face Scotland next and then England in their final game are now the only unbeaten side in the tournament.
England, suffering only their second defeat under Eddie Jones’ charge, now have to win their remaining two clashes against France in Paris – and then the trip to Dublin to have any chance of winning a third straight Six Nations.
Captain Hartley, whose 92nd cap puts him second in the all-time England appearance table behind Jason Leond, admitted: ‘We lacked intensity and lost territory with turnovers. We had a lot to chase in the second half. The boys gave it a good crack but it was too much.
England were dealt Calcutta Cup misery by Scotland as they lost ground in the Six Nations
Hartley revealed Saturday’s Calcutta Cup defeat at Murrayfield is a bitter pill to swallow
‘There were big turning points such as Danny Care’s interception and Courtney Lawes’ tackle but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
‘It’s part of our journey. It’s a quiet dressing room and some boys are down. But win or lose we always want to get better, and there is a lot to work on still.
‘We have to quickly get over this loss and start building towards going to Paris and facing the French. There’s still a lot to play for and we will give it everything we have to put this defeat behind us.
‘It was always going to be a huge challenge coming up here knowing how determined the Scots are to beat us. And it is always disappointing to lose and play like that.’
Hartley vowed England will bounce back, saying: ‘There’s still a lot to play for’