England secured a thrilling 16-15 victory over Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday, reclaiming the Calcutta Cup for the first time since 2020. A dramatic contest saw Finn Russell miss three crucial conversion attempts, including a last-gasp kick after Duhan van der Merwe’s late try gave Scotland hope.
Scotland’s Strong Start Falls Short
Scotland looked the stronger side in the opening exchanges, striking first through scrum-half Ben White. Finn Russell, usually a reliable kicker, missed the conversion, keeping England within reach.
Huw Jones extended Scotland’s lead later in the half, but another missed conversion from Russell left the visitors with only a 12-10 advantage at halftime. Despite their dominance, the missed opportunities proved costly.
England’s Response and Tactical Edge
England regrouped after the break. Marcus Smith, taking charge at fly-half, slotted two crucial penalties to give his team the lead. A long-range effort from Fin Smith stretched England’s advantage to six points as they looked to close out the contest.
- England tightened their defense after halftime, limiting Scotland’s attacking options.
- The breakdown battle saw England force key turnovers, disrupting Scotland’s rhythm.
- Tactical kicking from the Smith duo kept Scotland pinned in their own half for long periods.
Van der Merwe’s Heroics and Russell’s Agony
With time running out, Stafford McDowall produced a stunning break, setting up Duhan van der Merwe for a late try that could have stolen the win. The pressure fell on Russell, but his conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving Scotland one point short.
It marked a bitter end to an otherwise strong performance from the visitors, who had beaten England in their last four Six Nations meetings.
Calcutta Cup Returns to Twickenham
England’s triumph ends a period of Scottish dominance in the fixture, with Maro Itoje lifting the Calcutta Cup in front of a jubilant Twickenham crowd. The victory is a significant milestone early in his captaincy, setting the tone for England’s Six Nations campaign.
The result leaves Scotland ruing missed chances, while England will take confidence from their ability to grind out a win in a high-pressure encounter. With the tournament still in its early stages, both teams will now turn their attention to their upcoming fixtures.
