Match Report – England 16 – 15 Scotland

Finn Russell misses all three conversion makes an attempt, together with one on the demise, as England earn a dramatic first Calcutta Cup victory over Scotland in 5 years; Penalties from Marcus Smith (2) and Fin Smith get England over the road in second half

England gained the Calcutta Cup for the primary time since 2020

Finn Russell missed a last-gasp conversion as England wrestled the Calcutta Cup out of Scotland’s grasp after 4 years of distress with a dramatic 16-15 victory at a rejoicing Allianz Stadium.

England’s nemesis Duhan van der Merwe appeared to have guided Scotland to an unprecedented fifth successive Calcutta Cup triumph along with his late attempt.

However there was extra drama to return, with the in any other case exemplary Russell lacking a 3rd conversion as historical past slipped by way of the fingers of Gregor Townsend’s gamers on the demise.

Russell’s decisive miss put the seal on a gutsy, if considerably unconvincing, victory for England as they lastly overcame their fierce rivals to regain the Calcutta Cup for the primary time since 2020.

First-half tries from Ben White and Huw Jones, both facet of Tommy Freeman’s reply, noticed a dominant Scotland lead by three on the break however they have been pegged again by three second-half penalties from Marcus and Fin Smith as England claimed solely their second victory over Scotland in eight makes an attempt.

The defeat successfully ends Scotland’s hopes of successful the Six Nations for the primary time, whereas England, after recording successive victories, stay within the hunt forward of matches towards Italy and Wales, although they want France to do them a favour towards Eire in spherical 4.

England finish 5 years of Calcutta Cup damage

Duhan van der Merwe tormented England in Scotland’s dominant first-half efficiency

Scotland had by no means gained three successive video games at Twickenham however their prize for doing so could be an unprecedented fifth Calcutta Cup in a row – and so they set about seizing historical past in ruthless vogue.

Van der Merwe, recent from his Murrayfield hat-trick in 2024, resumed his function as England’s tormentor-in-chief, creating Scotland’s first attempt with a bulldozing linebreak that launched Tom Jordan down the left wing earlier than he handed inside for scrum-half White to use the of completion.

Scotland’s lead would final simply 5 minutes. England mounted part after part on the Scottish tryline and have been ultimately rewarded for his or her persistence when Freeman crashed over, with Marcus Smith’s conversion placing the hosts forward after Russell’s first miss.

Russell missed three conversion as victory slipped by way of Scotland’s fingers at Allianz Stadium

However a mesmeric efficiency with ball in hand from Russell would see Scotland wrestle again management, with the specter of Van der Merwe utilised to devastating impact on 19 minutes when he lured Marcus Smith and Ollie Lawrence to the ball and offloaded to Jones to crash over for a lead-restoring attempt.

Scotland repelled a Marcus Smith-inspired surge from England on the finish of the primary half to succeed in the interval three factors forward, however it served as a reminder their lead was maybe too slender given their dominance.

Marcus Smith kicked England to Calcutta Cup victory with two second-half penalties

England misplaced Tom Willis and Tom Curry to harm both facet of the interval however remained steadfast of their defensive efforts, repelling the whole lot Scotland threw at them earlier than Marcus Smith’s first penalty levelled the rating on 56 minutes.

Scotland conceded two penalties in a pivotal four-minute spell and have been punished on each events by the boots of Marcus and Fin Smith, as England entered the ultimate 9 minutes with a six-point lead that not even Van der Merwe’s sixth attempt in three video games towards them may overturn, Russell’s third missed conversion proving decisive.

Duhan van der Merwe’s late attempt appeared to have impressed Scotland to a dramatic victory on the demise

‘England stayed within the struggle’

England head coach Steve Borthwick: “Each recreation is vital for England and it’s a must to give Scotland credit score, as they performed an actual good recreation. They put stress on you and as quickly as they get an opportunity they transfer the ball vast rapidly.

“This younger group stayed within the struggle, and so they saved composure and so they saved working onerous. They ultimately discovered a strategy to win.

“Whereas there have been bits in that recreation that weren’t fairly, it is fringe of the seat finales. You noticed a really glad Allianz Stadium on the finish of the sport.”

‘Higher efficiency than current wins’ – Townsend

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: “I am pleased with how we performed in the present day. Within the first half, our execution was superb – our contact work was excellent.

“We created alternatives. We scored three tries and can look again and assume we may have scored extra. In a whole lot of methods, it was a greater efficiency than we have had down right here once we’ve gained.

“With that quantity of possession, we’re usually good at changing into factors. Right now we did not do that always sufficient. England defended very properly. They’re superb in their very own 22. Credit score goes to them.

“Finn was an enormous a part of us getting three tries. He has kicked a whole lot of essential factors for us prior to now.

“The truth is we did not win and are possible not going to win the championship. It is a efficiency we are able to construct on over the following two rounds.”

What’s subsequent?

The Six Nations pauses for an additional fallow week, after which Scotland host Wales at Murrayfield on March 8 (4.45pm), with England internet hosting Italy at Allianz Stadium on March 9 (3pm).