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Jonny Wilkinson made a spectacular return to the England team last night with 27 points, including a try, to inspire the world champions to a morale-boosting 42-20 Six Nations victory over Scotland.
In his first appearance since the 2003 World Cup final and with just 42 minutes' club
action under his belt in the last 12 weeks, Wilkinson made a mockery of those who criticised his selection.
He landed a full house of five penalties, two conversions and a drop goal as well as a 59th-minute try wrongly awarded by the television referee before leaving the field to a standing ovation.
Jason Robinson also had a memorable return two years after retiring from the international game with two tries and halfback Harry Ellis, in his first appearance for a year, was electric as new coach Brian Ashton's ambitious selections were fully vindicated.
It was a remarkable turnaround for England, showing 11 changes from the team left in despair after defeat by South Africa last November, and gives them something to build on as they look to defend the World Cup later this year.
"It's been a long time, it's just good back to get back on the field," Wilkinson told the BBC. "It's what I live a lot of my life for, I just wanted to go out there and do a job."
Such was the confidence engendered by Ashton's exciting selections that the first chorus of "Sweet Chariot" rang around the ground in the second minute, a stark contrast to the dark days of autumn when boos were the chief noises coming from the stands.
England responded on the pitch with an encouraging start and Wilkinson got things moving with his first penalty after 11 minutes and a drop goal after 19.
Scotland, seeking their first win at Twickenham since 1983, replied with a Chris Paterson penalty then shocked Twickenham with a 25th-minute try as flanker Simon Taylor seized on a loose ball following a ragged England lineout five metres from their own line.
England looked rattled but regained control and the lead with two more Wilkinson penalties, the second after a 70-metre run by the lively Ellis.
They finished the half on a high by fashioning a superb try for Robinson. The pack dragged the Scots wide left then the ball fizzed through the hands of Andy Farrell, Mike Tindall and Wilkinson to reach the returning winger who threw half a dummy then somehow kept his livewire feet in play to score in the corner.
Wilkinson, blood still running from an early split lip, was off-beam for the first time with the conversion but England turned round 17-10 ahead.
Two more Wilkinson penalties to one from Paterson edged England further clear and they effectively settled the game after 55 minutes when Sean Lamont made a mess of trying to gather an Ellis kick and Robinson was on hand for an easy score.
His two tries matched his total in 21 games for Sale this season.
Another Ellis kick opened the door for Wilkinson to dive in at the right corner. He touched down before disturbing the corner flag but television pictures clearly showed his foot in touch and the video referee's decision to award the score was bizarre.
If anyone was due a bit of luck, though, it was Wilkinson, who has endured a nightmare three years of injury, and he celebrated by landing the conversion from the touchline and then receiving a standing ovation when he was replaced six minutes from the end.
Flanker Magnus Lund added England's fourth try in the 73rd minute, left completely unmarked on the wing, and Rob Dewey's late reply for the Scots could not spoil the home crowd's day.
A little over two months after being booed off on the back of their eighth defeat in nine games, England were roared off after regaining the Calcutta Cup.
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In last night's other Six Nations encounter, France number eight Sebastien Chabal celebrated his international return with two tries as his side demolished Italy 39-3.
Man-of-the-match Chabal, who has played only four internationals since 2003, was in outstanding form for the defending champions. He bullocked over for a try just before halftime and scored a second four minutes after the interval.
- REUTERS