Front row Cowan-Dickie crashed his way over with five minutes remaining to notch England's second try of the night in a match where the hosts' dominant scrum proved pivotal in Plymouth.

Cowan-Dickie, who plays his club rugby just down the road with Exeter Chiefs, and fellow front row Kyle Sinckler were in dominant form throughout as England made a strong start to their tournament but Scotland were much improved from 12 months ago, when they were humbled 59-3 on home soil.

With the considerable wind at their backs, Scotland dominated the early stages in terms of territory and possession and it was they who took the lead on six minutes.

England were penalised for collapsing a scrum and Scotland fly-half Tommy Allan stepped up to notch three points from in front of the posts.

Just three minutes later, England battled the blustery conditions and created the chance to draw level but Chiefs fly-half Henry Slade dragged his penalty wide.

Remaining on top, the Scots cut open England's defence on ten minutes, Keith Buchan bursting down the left but he picked up an injury when his progress was halted and replaced by Robbie Fergusson.

England then showed their attacking intent for the first time and wing Ben Howard raced through, only to find himself swamped by Scottish defenders.

The visitors threatened England's try-line again on 15 minutes when centre Mark Bennett booted clear and won the foot race, only to miss his second kick forward and the hosts snuffed out the danger.

Then came the decisive moment of the first half on 27 minutes when Scotland flanker Ruaridh Leishman was sent to the sin bin for coming in at the side and England cranked up the pressure.

Led by London Irish full-back Anthony Watson, England's offloading game came to the fore and found gaps in the Scotland defence but the score they craved came on 29 minutes in a rather different fashion.

With Harlequins prop Sinckler dominant, England were too strong in the scrum just five minutes short of the line on three occasions, forcing Italian referee Claudio Blessano to award the penalty try.

Slade duly added the conversion but Allan grabbed his second penalty of the night, with the help of the upright, on 34 minutes to trim the half-time deficit to just one.

After the break, England couldn't exploit the conditions like Scotland did at the start of the first half but they extended their lead on 59 minutes.

Soon after the impressive Sinckler had attempted a kick and chase, England were awarded a penalty and Slade notched his second kick of the night.

And with England dominant at the scrum once again, Slade was handed a chance to extend England's lead, only to drag his penalty wide on 65 minutes.

But things got worse for Scotland when Cameron Turner, having come off the bench just a minute previously, was sin-binned for not rolling away after Watson was tackled and forced to hobble off through injury.

From the resulting penalty, Slade struck the post as Scotland, trailing 10-6, refused to lie down despite their numerical disadvantage.

But England's second-half breakthrough finally came on 75 minutes when a fine pass from Slade picked out club-mate Cowan-Dickie, who barged his way over to seal the victory.