THE HEADTEACHER of a Malpas secondary school was proud to watch his son captain the England rugby team for the first time, despite the bitter disappointment at losing to Scotland on the opening weekend of the Six Nations.

A former rugby player, David Curry is headteacher at Bishop Heber High School, in Chester Road, where his rugby international son Tom and twin brother Ben were both pupils.

Tom is the youngest England captain since Will Carling and David admitted he was proud to see his son captain England in the Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.

David said: "It was an amazing achievement at 23 to captain your country.

"I spoke to Tom at the end of the game and he was very philosophical.

"He is his own harshest critic.

"I thought he played well both as a player and I thought he captained well for his first time.

"I am really, really proud of him, as a fan and as a dad."

Having trailed 10-6 at half-time, England hit back through two penalty kicks and a try from outside-half Marcus Smith to give them a seven-point lead over the Scots.

However, the sin binning of hooker, Luke Cowan-Dickie in the 66th minute, who was judged to have deliberately knocked the ball on and into touch, led to Scotland being awarded a penalty try and the scores being level.

Scotland went on to win a penalty which was slotted by outside-half Finn Russell, which gave them the 20-17 lead which they held on to.

England coach Eddie Jones blamed the defeat on failure the team to take their chances rather than the yellow card for the defeat.

David said they will be using training this week to look at where they went wrong against Scotland, bounce back, and get ready for their next game against Italy on Sunday.

He said: "I think they go back to camp today.

"I think they will spend some time reviewing a lot of individual mistakes.

"Some penalties they could have probably eradicated.

"But we were up in Scotland and the conditions were terrible."

With regular captain, Owen Farrell ruled out of Six Nations through injury and doubts as to whether Courtney Lawes will be ready for England's next game, Tom could captain England again.

David added: "I think they have got an opportunity to bounce back, and I think they will take it.

"I am sure if Tom is given the chance again, he will not let himself or his teammates down."

England's next game is against Italy in Rome this Sunday.