Italy were within the width of a post of the biggest upset in Six Nations history as they drew 13-13 against 14-man France in Lille.
England captain Jamie George is adamant they are heading in the right direction overall under Steve Borthwick.
Duhan Van Der Merwe became the first Scotland player to score a Calcutta Cup hat-trick as they beat England 30-21 in a Six Nations clash in Edinburgh.
Ireland kept their quest for successive Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam titles on track by easily dispatching a spirited Wales side 31-7 in Dublin.
Harlequins winger Louis Lynagh could make his Test debut for Italy against France in the Six Nations next week.
Manu Tuilagi, George Martin and Luke Cowan-Dickie are part of the reinforcements England have called up for their clash with Scotland.