England silence the doubters
England, having scored 85 points and 11 tries in completing a quick-fire away day double over Italy and Scotland, will now relish a return to fortress Twickenham.
They have not lost a Test match on home soil since the 1999 World Cup, and victories over Ireland and Wales next month would set up a potential dream finale in Paris on March 27 France versus England, with the championship crown and Grand Slam at stake.
England's Six Nations credentials were questioned in some quarters, given the absence of World Cup heroes Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson.
But their respective replacements Danny Grewcock and Paul Grayson played major roles at Murrayfield on another record-breaking occasion.
England posted their highest-ever points total in Edinburgh, with Grewcock scoring his first Test try in almost seven years and fly-half Grayson moving to within touching distance of 400 international points.
Their combined presence did much to quell a valiant Scottish side, who produced a much-improved display following their tame surrender against Wales seven days earlier.
Bath lock Grewcock's touchdown a robust charge to the Scottish posts - rubber-stamped England's fourth successive Calcutta Cup triumph as he continued erasing memories of his World Cup heartache.
"Losing Johnson and Wilkinson was obviously massive, but I thought Grewcock was man of the match," said Woodward. "I thought he was fantastic.
"It is a big, big bonus for us, and it's the same with Grayson. He stepped up to the mark, and he knows how to win a game for us."
Grewcock, who is still awaiting the arrival of his promised World Cup winner's medal, endured a frustrating tournament Down Under.
A freak injury suffered during the warm-up before England's first game, when Ben Cohen accidentally trod on his toe and broke it, sidelined him, then he sustained a hand injury against Uruguay three weeks later, which meant an early flight home.
"The World Cup was one of those things," said Grewcock. "It was bitterly disappointing"
"But what's done is done, you can't change it. You have to look forward. I am looking to play well for my club, and if the knock-on from that is to get selected for England, then that's brilliant.
"Getting back into the starting line-up for the Six Nations has given me a great opportunity, and I do savour these moments more than perhaps I have done in the past."
England had the game wrapped up by half-time, leading 20-6, although two of their tries were a result of defensive blunders by Scotland full-back Ben Hinshelwood and Chris Paterson.
"I think it will mean a lot to get back to Twickenham," said Woodward, relishing Saturday week's appointment with Ireland.
"We've only had two games there since the last Six Nations France (World Cup warm-up) and the New Zealand Barbarians and it will take a good side to beat us there. It has been tough six days or so, but we have no injuries from yesterday," he said.
Woodward intends naming his line-up for Ireland next Monday, when it is hoped Wasps flanker Joe Worsley will be back in contention after a hamstring injury.
Worsley might have to be content with a place on the bench though, given an impressive full debut enjoyed by Sale Sharks forward Chris Jones.
Hinshelwood, Danielli, Philip, Laney, Webster, Paterson, Cusiter, Smith, Bulloch, Douglas, Murray, Grimes, White, Mather, Taylor.
Replacements: Henderson for Hinshelwood (41), Parks for Danielli (75), Blair for Cusiter (53), Russell for Bulloch (65), Kerr for Douglas (47), Hines for Grimes (55), Hogg for Mather (19).
Balshaw, Lewsey, Greenwood, Robinson, Cohen, Grayson, Gomarsall, Woodman, Thompson, Vickery, Grewcock, Kay, Jones, Hill, Dallaglio.
Replacements: Paul for Greenwood (75), Dawson for Gomarsall (55), Shaw for Kay (60).
David McHugh (Ireland).
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