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:
England 7-10 Scotland, 28 minutes
Not Marcus Smith’s best moment. The full-back crabs across field before attempting to clear England’s lines, but a wretched slice will give Scotland a lineout on the fringes of the home 22.
England 7-10 Scotland, 26 minutes
Genge is sent steaming into Scottish bodies having been sent out into the backs from a lineout, the prop over the gainline but not making huge inroads. Finn Russell finds a canny kick soon after, spotting space in England’s backfield. Not quite a 50/22, but not far away.
England 7-10 Scotland, 25 minutes
The home scrum is going well, though. A penalty this time - slaps on the back for Ellis Genge and Will Stuart, who are both having strong campaigns so far.
England 7-10 Scotland, 24 minutes
England are in trouble here. James Lowe caused havoc against their undersized edge defenders and Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith are once again being tasked with shutting down the sidelines against men of larger stature. Duhan van der Merwe bats back the full-back with a fierce fend before Mitchell is matador-ed by Jamie Ritchie. England’s scramble is solid to force a knock on but this is a concern for the hosts.
England 7-10 Scotland, 22 minutes
Howls of disbelief around Allianz Stadium, Twickenham as Ben Earl’s seemingly legitimate jackal is penalised. Pierre Brousset rules that the flanker had gone off his feet on a hopelessly isolated Blair Kinghorn - and the French referee is probably right, Earl’s hands past the ball initially.
TRY! England 7-10 SCOTLAND (Huw Jones, 20 minutes)
How do they do it? Another sensational Scottish score, and it’s Huw Jones!
The centre simply loves this fixture! This is a delightful display of attacking interplay, a set-piece strike in which every Scottish back is involved. Stafford McDowall takes Finn Russell’s pass and pulls back to Kyle Rowe, who connects with Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe on the outside. The hulking wing carries Marcus Smith with him before popping for his partner in Calcutta Cup crime, Jones adding yet another try against the Auld Enemy to his tally.
England 7-5 Scotland, 19 minutes
Ollie Chessum is penalised at the maul for changing his bind. Finn Russell makes a hash of his touchfinder, slicing it for a territorial gain of little more than 10 metres.
England 7-5 Scotland, 18 minutes
After that lively opening, the game ends up in something of a stupor as the two sides trade high hoists in the middle third. Ollie Sleightholme ends the stalemate by winning a contestable, but his pat back scurries into touch.
England 7-5 Scotland, 16 minutes
Scotland have clearly come with ambition to play. Another Blair Kinghorn offload fails to find the hands of Dave Cherry, the hooker, like Kyle Rowe earlier, not expecting such a bold pass. Kinghorn, of course, has been thriving in exactly this sort of style with Toulouse.
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