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 7-5 Scotland, 13 minutes
A touch naive from England, catching and mauling but going nowhere in particular, allowing Scotland to stay in the fight and eventually earn a scrum when the ball fails to re-emerge. A fine attacking platform, this - on the 22, 15 in from the touchline. What can Finn Russell and co. conjure?
England 7-5 Scotland, 13 minutes
Malfunction at the junction! Some devastating footwork from Blair Kinghorn leaves Alex Mitchell chewing the Twickenham turf, but the full-back’s basketball-style alley-oop clatters off the hands of an unsuspecting Rowe, who hadn’t quite read his teammate’s intentions. England survive.
England 7-5 Scotland, 11 minutes
A hectic start, this. England infringe at a ruck near halfway and Scotland punt towards the corner. Kyle Rowe shimmies and shakes past a couple to within five metres of the line.
TRY! ENGLAND 7-5 Scotland (Tommy Freeman, 9 minutes)
A bit of biff from Tommy Freeman and the burly wing bashes over!
Freeman steps up at first receiver and goes route one, taking the pass of club colleague Alex Mitchell and bursting between the outsized Finn Russell and Tom Jordan. Marcus Smith converts to put England in front.
The replay isn’t at all conclusive, with the footage perhaps suggesting that Freeman might not have got it down, but there’s nothing to overturn the on-field try call.
England 0-5 Scotland, 7 minutes
Good continuity from the hosts inside the Scotland 22, drawing an advantage for offside. Tom Curry rumbles to within a metre, and Ben Earl isn’t far away, either...
England 0-5 Scotland, 6 minutes
Scotland are penalised soon after the restart, allowing England their first 22 entry in possession. The lineout move doesn’t quite function as intended but England retain possession and will try something different.
TRY! England 0-5 SCOTLAND (Ben White, 4 minutes)
A superb Scottish strike!
They just do this so often in this fixture! It’s a scintillating score, Duhan van der Merwe (of course) sparking it by burning around the outside of Ollie Lawrence. He gets his arms free and offloads to Blair Kinghorn, who transfers sharply and smartly to send Tom Jordan onwards.
His inside pass is on the money; Ben White collects and gallops in. What a start!
England 0-0 Scotland, 3 minutes
Luke Cowan-Dickie does find his first target. England maul, getting a bit of early movement before Alex Mitchell extracts.
To the skies...Kyle Rowe takes strongly and then spins out of the tackle of Ollie Sleightholme and Tom Willis.
Scotland reply in kind soon enough, though. Fin Smith takes the box kick in comfort before exploring the left, but it isn’t long before a teammate is forced to kick again.
England 0-0 Scotland, 2 minutes
Cherry doesn’t find his jumper but England are free kicked for closing the gap. Finn Russell boots to touch.
England 0-0 Scotland, 1 minute
Good footwork from Jack Dempsey, shimmying into space from his first carry. England scramble effectively and force Scotland to kick.
A tidy start from England in attack, creating a corner. Henry Slade checks and kicks - clever, trapping Scotland seven metres from their own line. Dave Cherry will throw a pressure lineout in the opening moments.
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