England 42 Scotland 20: The England rugby psyche is remarkably robust. They were coursed from pillar to post in the media for a recent string of abject performances under the Andy Robinson coaching regime, one that endured nine defeats in the last 10 Tests played; yet victory over Scotland is being hailed as the dawn of a great new era.

Brian Ashton may well prove the panacea but any evaluation on the "new" England must surely be reserved until the conclusion of the Six Nations championship. Victory at Twickenham over a Scotland team devoid of the tactical nous and flair to trouble their opponents is hardly the imprimatur for unbridled enthusiasm.

In fairness to Ashton and his captain, Phil Vickery, they did not rush to put up the bunting; their appraisal was suitably low-key. They chose to be pragmatic while others thumbed the thesaurus for superlatives.

"I wouldn't say that it was a perfect start," said Ashton. "There are things that we are going to have to work on but it was a very pleasing one. If anyone had said to me yesterday that we were going to win 42-20 I would have been reasonably happy.

"This a brand new start and a new team. We found that starting point today."

Ashton's pleasure is both understandable and reasonable coming in the wake of a solid team performance illuminated with several high-quality performances. None glowed brighter than Jonny Wilkinson, the prodigal son returning - and departing on 77 minutes - to a thunderous reception from an adoring public.

Having not played Test rugby since the 2003 World Cup final because of a succession of injuries that have severely limited his game time this season, he brought a wonderful composure and quality to his performance: England expected and Wilkinson delivered. Some, including Andy Robinson, had suggested his return to national colours might be premature, but he emphatically answered the doubters.

Ashton enthused: "He played better than he did when he was last playing. He controlled the game pretty well. He's a world-class goal-kicker and he put his tackles in and he managed to scramble over, I think, for a try. I couldn't quite see it from where I was."

A return of seven place-kicks from nine attempts, including two magnificent touchline conversions - his two failures were from the whitewash - underpinned an excellent all-round display. He was typically abrasive and wholehearted in the tackle and enjoyed something of a floating role in the back line.

He occasionally popped up at outside centre, where his distribution was perceptive, allowing rugby league convert and debutant Andy Farrell to assume the outhalf duties.

Wilkinson's ability to punish pretty much every Scottish indiscretion gave his team the breathing space to maintain their composure and persevere with their patterns when the game was still competitive, at least on the scoreboard.

His 27-point tally included a try that wasn't, as Ashton's light-hearted comment conceded. The video replay showed conclusively Wilkinson's right leg crash-landed in touch before grounding the ball over the line with an acrobatic, one-handed dive. This is one video the television match official, Ireland's Donal Courtney, won't relish replaying.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden was incredulous in the post-match press conference.

"It's an unbelievable decision from a TMO," he said, before elaborating a little on just how unpalatable it was in the context of the game. He also suggested that with the try gift-wrapped for the home side by a Sean Lamont error, the Scot and the try scorer, Jason Robinson, touching the ball simultaneously.

"There were a couple of freakish situations that you don't need to go against you when you come to Twickenham."

A potential 14-point swing cannot hide Scotland's shortcomings. They pinched a try from England's only lineout malfunction of the day, when the excellent Simon Taylor was more forthright in snapping up the ball ahead of English scrumhalf Harry Ellis and plunging over the line.

Their second try, from replacement centre Rob Dewey, came in injury-time at the end, when England were mentally in the dressing-room.

The Scots were offered no leeway by the English fringe defence, lacked the guile to effect a line breach farther out and so relied on Dan Parks's kicking, some of which was superb. As a main gambit, though, it wasn't going to be hugely productive.

The Scots looked more convincing in attack when captain Chris Paterson moved to outhalf, Dewey was introduced at centre and Rory Lamont came in to fullback.

Taylor tried hard in a Scottish pack that was well marshalled in the set-piece and back pedalled furiously in the face of an impressive maul.

England's pack was impressively authoritative, particular Danny Grewcock, Joe Worsley and the athletic Magnus Lund, who found time to grab a try.

If not for Wilkinson's presence, Ellis would have scooped the man-of-the-match accolade. He made several searing breaks, albeit against a non-existent Scottish fringe defence.

Farrell was solid on his debut with one or two conspicuous interventions, while another returning star, Jason Robinson, looked sharp in grabbing the two opportunities that came his way.

England led 17-10 at the interval thanks to Wilkinson's left boot and Robinson's first try. The outhalf nudged England clear with his boot and then his right hand as the home side gradually pulled away.

A good start may be half the battle but more exacting days loom.

For now, though, the chariot is swinging low at a decent clip and is unlikely to be discommoded by an Italian speed bump next weekend.

SCORING SEQUENCE: 13 mins: Wilkinson pen 3-0; 21: Paterson pen, 3-3; 23: Wilkinson drop-goal 6-3; 28: Taylor try, Paterson con 6-10; 33: Wilkinson pen 9-10; 36: Wilkinson pen 12-10; 40(+2): Robinson try 17-10 (half-time: 17-10); 42: Paterson pen 17-13; 48: Wilkinson pen 20-13; 51: Wilkinson pen 23-13; 55: Robinson try, Wilkinson con 30-13; 60: Wilkinson try, Wilkinson con 37-13; 76: Lund try 42-13; 83: Dewey try, Paterson con 42-20.

ENGLAND: O Morgan; J Lewsey, M Tindall, A Farrell, J Robinson; J Wilkinson, H Ellis; P Freshwater, G Chuter, P Vickery (Wasps, capt); L Deacon, D Grewcock; J Worsley, M Lund, M Corry. Replacements: T Rees for Worsley (65 mins); L Mears for Chuter, J White for Vickery, T Flood for Wilkinson (all 77 mins).

SCOTLAND: H Southwell; S Lamont, M Di Rollo, A Henderson, C Paterson (capt); D Parks, C Cusiter; G Kerr, D Hall, E Murray; A Kellock, J Hamilton; S Taylor, K Brown, D Callam. Replacements: S Murray for Kellock (52-58 mins); A Jacobsen for Kerr (56 mins); S Murray for Hamilton (62 mins); R Dewy for Henderson, A Hogg for Brown (both 65 mins); R Ford for Hall (66 mins); R Lawson for Cusiter (70 mins); R Lamont for Parks (73 mins).

Referee: M Jonker (South Africa).