England vs Scotland LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations as hosts cling on in thrilling Calcutta Cup climax
England 16-15 Scotland: The hosts clung on as Finn Russell’s missed touchline conversion ended Scotland’s dominance in this fixture
England edged Scotland 16-15 in a thrilling Calcutta Cup climax to win back the prize for the first time since 2020.
Scotland had established a run of dominance over the Auld Enemy and had the chance to continue their hoodoo here, with Duhan van der Merwe sliding in for a scintillating score just moments from time to grant Finn Russell a kick for victory. But the fly half’s conversion slid by, allowing England to hold on for a first win in the fixture in five years.
In doing so, Steve Borthwick’s side backed up another tight win over France, giving them real momentum ahead of meetings with Wales and Italy to come. An early try from Tommy Freeman set them on their way while they scrambled superbly against some sparkling Scottish interplay. Both Marcus and Fin Smith struck from the tee to leave the hosts - just about - on the winning side.
Re-live all of the action from Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in our live blog below:
Maro Itoje urges England to ‘seize the moment’ in clash with Scotland
England captain Maro Itoje has urged his side to “seize the moment” against Scotland and prove they are growing as a team.
Steve Borthwick’s side achieved a long-awaited win in their last outing against France as they at last got over the line in a tight game after a year of near misses.
After a similarly sizeable upset against Ireland during the 2024 Six Nations, England came close repeatedly against some of the world’s top sides but were unable to secure a second statement victory.
Fears of another false dawn will heighten if Scotland extend their run of Calcutta Cup dominance, with the visitors chasing an unprecedented fifth straight success against the Auld Enemy.
Maro Itoje urges England to ‘seize the moment’ in clash with Scotland
Steve Borthwick backs Marcus Smith to rebound from kicking off-day against Scotland
Steve Borthwick has backed Marcus Smith to rebound from a difficult day from the tee against France after revealing that the England full-back will retain kicking duties for the Six Nations clash against Scotland.
The Harlequins playmaker missed a penalty and a conversion in the second half of the round two fixture, and had the tee taken off him as fly half Fin Smith assumed duties.
The 22-year-old subsequently slotted two conversions to help England to a long-awaited victory as part of a composed first start at international level.
There has since been contradictory comments from England in explaining how that call was made, with Borthwick insisting in the immediate aftermath of the round two success that it had been a decision made by the players, but Fin Smith suggesting last week that Kevin Sinfield, England’s assistant coach, had brought on his tee after a decision made by the staff.
But Borthwick has backed Marcus Smith to step up again this season with the Harlequin boasting an outstanding record at club level this season, with a Premiership-best kicking percentage of 96.43 per cent.
Steve Borthwick backs Marcus Smith to rebound from kicking off-day against Scotland
Fin Smith: ‘Both my parents are Scottish - but I always wanted to play for England’
The London Scottish clubhouse may seem a peculiar place to embark on the life and times of England’s new fly-half star, but the rickety Richmond hangout is where Fin Smith’s story really begins. It was there, two miles or so from Twickenham, where Smith’s mother Judith first set eyes on his father, Andrew: two Scots not then knowing they would one day produce a player who will have spent much of this week plotting their own nation’s sporting demise.
Fin Smith: ‘My parents are Scottish - but I always wanted to play for England’
Ben Earl reveals painful England motivation for key Scotland clash
Ben Earl revealed the agony of rewatching recent Calcutta Cup failures has left England gunning for redemption as he admitted Scotland’s last visit to Twickenham caused him to question his suitability for international rugby.
Gregor Townsend’s team are chasing a record-breaking fifth consecutive win over their fierce rivals during today’s pivotal Six Nations showdown at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Ben Earl reveals painful England motivation for key Scotland clash
Cohesion, connections and cutting edge: Why England are building around a Northampton Saints spine
England’s backline today again contains four Northampton Saints, with Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme likely to reunite with club colleague George Furbank once the full-back is fit again. Why is Steve Borthwick so keen to build around them?
Why England are building around a Northampton Saints spine
Wales vs Ireland
The action is just getting underway in Cardiff in the first Six Nations action of the day, the Matt Sherratt interim era beginning with a mighty challenge as Wales host Ireland. Can Sherratt spark a shock against the tournament favourites? Follow LIVE coverage here:
Wales vs Ireland LIVE rugby: Six Nations latest build-up and updates
Six Nations 2025 schedule in full: Fixtures, results and table
Need a reminder of the action so far or what is to come in this edition of rugby’s grand old championship? We’ve got you covered:
Six Nations: Fixtures, results and table
What will British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell be watching during the Six Nations?
This feels like a massive day in the Lions selection shake-up, with England and Scotland’s crop of contenders looking to put their best foot forward in a pressure fixture. Who will catch Andy Farrell’s eye?
What will Lions coach Andy Farrell be watching during the Six Nations?
Calcutta Cup talking points: Deadly Duhan
One figure looms large over England’s recent Calcutta Cup blues – Duhan van der Merwe. The giant wing ran in a hat-trick at Murrayfield last year and 12 months earlier plundered two tries as Scotland prevailed 29-23 at Twickenham, some sensational scores among them. Given space, he has the power and speed to cause havoc and his understanding with Russell is a real threat. “We just gave him the ball and said: ‘Go on, off you go’,” said England’s Ollie Lawrence of his former Worcester team-mate. A likely repeat Lions Test wing, England know he must be stopped.
Calcutta Cup talking points: Back in the saddle
Ollie Chessum’s promotion into the second row will be a moment of personal triumph, while also providing England with multiple strengths. Chessum missed the 2024 summer tour Japan and New Zealand because of shoulder surgery and just a few months later he was back under the knife, a knee injury ruling him out of the autumn campaign. Now ready for his first start since last year’s Six Nations, he will give England a crucial extra line-out target as well as high work-rate and mobility around the field. An impressive appearance off the bench against France suggested his fitness issues are behind him.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments