Russell, who leads Racing 92 with nine try assists in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, kicked two penalties and a conversion in the contest – with debutant scrum-half Ben White (London Irish) notching one of two tries - the other a penalty try.

In response, Harlequins’ Marcus Smith, who is the leading points scorer in the Champions Cup this season, crossed the whitewash for the only English try of the afternoon. He added a further 12 points with the boot via four penalties.

At the Aviva Stadium, Munster Rugby wing Andrew Conway, who is the club’s leading try scorer in the 2021-22 Champions Cup, scored twice as Ireland defeated Six Nations champions Wales 29-7.

Connacht Rugby inside centre Bundee Aki opened the scoring after just three minutes, while Leinster Rugby’s Johnny Sexton contributed a conversion and a penalty in the first half as Ireland led 10-0 at the interval.

A quickfire double early in the second period from Conway put the game beyond doubt – Sexton adding the extras to both tries – before Leinster outside centre Garry Ringrose added a fourth try on the afternoon.

A late consolation from Dragons flanker Taine Basham, converted by Bristol Bears’ Callum Sheedy, reduced the deficit in the final five minutes as the Irish took the bonus point victory to top the Six Nations standings.

Racing 92 fly-half Finn Russell converted a late penalty for Scotland to secure a 20-17 victory over England in the Calcutta Cup.