Scotland have become the second team to beat England in 26 tests, winning the coveted Calcutta Cup for the first time since 2008.

Last Saturday (24 Feb), Scotland stunned visitors, England, 25-13 at BT Murrayfield to keep their NatWest Six Nations Championship hopes alive and return to their record placing of fifth in the World Rugby rankings. After the match, Captain John Barclay said, “I’m enjoying the win, they’re a fantastic side so to win, to have the trophy in the dressing room and to play in such a fantastic game at BT Murrayfield, as epic as it was today, is something I’ll remember.”

Scotland U20 also impressed against their English counterparts at Myreside on Friday night (23 Feb) recording a famous victory, 24-17. Scotland produced a magnificent second-half performance, scoring 17 unanswered points in front of a 3,610 strong crowd to take their first win in the U20 Six Nations Championship. At Scotstoun, Scotland Women welcomed England in front of a second consecutive record crowd of 3,278 on Friday night (23 Feb), the visitors provided tough competition winning 43-8. The Scottish sides will now face Ireland away in round 4.

Match Reports

U20s

Scotland produced a magnificent second-half performance, scoring 17 unanswered points, to record a famous victory over England in this evening U20 Six Nations clash at Myreside.

In a match which had it all – electric breaks; last-ditch tackles; pin-point kicking, and even a few scraps – Scotland showcased a level of intensity and desire, which ultimately brought them a deserved win; their first in this year’s championship.

Despite being down ten-points at half-time, after England scored two quick fire tries to end the first period, Scotland continued to believe and when prop-forward Finlay Richardson scampered over for two second-half tries, the match was turned on its head.

“I’m very, very proud of the boys,” said Head Coach Stevie Scott. “For us to go and get heavily beat by France and then the response we got from boys, against 23 full-time players, says a lot about the drive and desire to do well in a Scotland jersey.

“We’ve been working hard all week on what it means to play against England. On how it’s a different game to the other Six Nations fixtures and how it has a different spice to it – so we really tried to get hold of that emotion all week. We were outstanding this evening.”

Although England were the slicker of the two sides in a first-half dominated by back-line breaks and deft kicking from the visitor’s stand-off Tom Hardwick, Scotland rallied to produce a stunning second-half showing.

“We had to unsettle them, and play on the edge of the game,” said Scott. “And I thought we did that all night. We really worked on the maul, and that was outstanding this evening. It was really pleasing to see.

“When they scored two tries just before half-time, the heads could’ve gone down, but there was a bit of belief there this evening and the boys kept going.

“They stuck to the game plan. We squeezed them tight, kicked to the corner and fronted up. I thought Ross Thompson did an excellent job of controlling that.

“It’s one game, and we need to make sure we don’t get carried away, but the boys deserve to be happy after a performance like that.”

Although Scotland had carried courageously in the opening stages of the contest, it was England who took the lead after a period of sustained pressure.

Hardwick would nudge over a simple three-pointer to grab the early impetus, but Scotland would soon hit back with a well-worked score of their own.

After stealing the ball amidst the breakdown, the age-grade side eventually worked the ball within to inches of the England try-line. With numbers lining up outside, Ewan Johnson chose to ignore support and with swift pick-up the second-row dived over from short distance.

With Ross Thompson nailing the conversion, Scotland held a 7-3 lead.

England would miss a kick at goal shortly after Johnson’s try, but the visitors – who on more than one occasion cut open Scotland’s drifting back-line defence – soon displayed some real attacking quality.

With centre Ollie Lawrence bursting through a gap in midfield, and galloping 30 metres into Scotland territory, the ball eventually broke to Hardwick who dived in the corner.

It was to get better for the visitors only minutes later. Again, their smooth backline were the catalyst behind the score as Hardwick hit a sweet cross-field kick perfectly into the reach of Tom Seabrook, who graciously collected before flopping over the whitewash.

At the half, England led 17-7.

Scotland – who’s heads had never dropped in the first-half, despite succumbing to two rapid scores – started the second-half with raised intensity, however, and when Kyle Rowe was tackled late off the ball – causing Jordan Olowofela to be sent to the bin – they were soon back in the game.

As Thompson nailed a kick to the corner, Scotland gathered before powerfully mauling their way over the whitewash. Prop Finlay Richardson was the man at the bottom of the pile, and Scotland were right back in the match.

With their tails up, Stevie Scott’s side were all over the park. Each England attack was met by a wall of blue, and with a man advantage, they soon made England pay even further.

As Scotland once again kicked to the corner, a swift rolling maul soon gathered pace and when England attempted to drag it down the referee had no other option to award the penalty try – giving Scotland a 19-17 lead heading into the final ten minutes.

With the crowd behind them, Scotland kept England pinned in their own half. And when the visitors overthrew a lineout deep inside their own twenty-two, Finlay Richardson was there to dash over the line, sparking wild celebrations.

 Final Score: Scotland 24/17 England

Women

Scotland welcomed England to Scotstoun on a calm and clear night in front of a second consecutive record crowd of 3,278.

England were quick off the mark in getting their first try after just three minutes and followed up within the ten-minute mark.

Scotland didn’t let their heads drop and enterprising play nearly saw Lloyd released down the flank but a spill took them back for a penalty which Law converted.

Some great opportunism from Lisa Thomson to hack through an England dropped was turned over five metres out and Jade Konkel powered over to reduce the deficit to one score.

England wasted no time in replying through Pearce to extend their lead again before English indiscipline gave Scotland two penalties in quick succession to work their way into the opposition 22.

The Scots built patiently up to the five-metre line to win another penalty and went quickly, forcing England flanker Noel-Smith to infringe again for which she was sent to the sin bin.

Scotland spurned the kickable penalty but were turned over and England escaped without conceding.

The home side kept up the intensity and held possession for most of the second quarter but were unable to make much headway on the field as England continued to concede penalties just out of Law’s range.

What little ball England had they were clinical with and scored through Kildunne to bring the half to a close.

Half Time | Scotland 8/26 England

England returned to the field with a full complement and again they were on the board within ten to leave Scotland a mountain to climb.

The hosts worked hard to retain possession and England were reduced to 14 once more after Burnfield pulled down a progressing Scottish maul. Scotland went again from the lineout but this time the visitors halted it.

It wasn’t long before Scotland were similarly punished when Siobhan McMillan was shown a yellow card for tackling the player in the air and the Red Roses capitalised immediately with a try from Tuima.

Fresh legs from England made things hard work for Scotland in the closing stages and they scored the final try of the game with player of the match Danielle Waterman dotting down.

Full Time | Scotland 8/43 England

Scotland now travel to Ireland and Italy in the remaining two rounds where they will be targeting an away win after some improved performances against two of the world’s best teams.

Men

Scotland posted their first victory over England in ten years amid tumultuous scenes at BT Murrayfield this evening.

Three beautifully crafted tries to one, a performance of huge heart, hunger and invention – that was utterly indicative of the supreme qualities that characterised head coach Gregor Townsend as a player.

But it was passion with a calm persona and unyielding physicality too, epitomised by a second half penalty count where Scotland only conceded two penalties to the eight of the thoroughly rattled England.

There were heroes aplenty in Scotland colours as England’s Grand Slam ambitions were spectacularly derailed.  An England side that had lost only once in the Championship since Jones made his bow in this competition in the white of England some two years ago.

The lead from John Barclay was phenomenal, Finn Russell was at his best and it was one of those days that will be forever etched in the memory as Scotland lodged their Championship chasing desires for all to see.

Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend said: “The preparation this week has been excellent, the players knew the game that we wanted to play in attack and defence.

We knew we had the weapons to shock England and disrupt their game and (we) executed it well today so I’m very proud.”

Scotland kicked off towards the railway end and Finn Russell’s first touch with hand was a sweet miss-pass to Sean Maitland.  As Scotland recycled, Huw Jones’ kick-ahead was well policed by England but Grant Gilchrist got over ball at a subsequent ruck and England were penalised for holding on.  Greig Laidlaw goaled, a great start for the hosts. (3-0, 3 mins).

England countered through a Nathan Hughes charge but when they sought to go through the phases into Scotland’s 22, they transgressed at a ruck.

The game continued at a cracking lick and Tommy Seymour had a scamper up the right before Stuart McInally thundered into the visitors’ 22, where Chris Robshaw’s work at breakdown earned England a penalty.

Mike Brown sent Jonny May on a touchline burst before Scotland loitered after a tackle on Owen Farrell, who then stepped up to level the scores (3-3, 13 mins).

BT Murrayfield erupted two minutes later as Scotland scored their first try on home soil against England in 14 years.

A lineout was driven from just outside the 22 and with referee Nigel Owens signalling a penalty advantage to Scotland, McInally unleashed to his half-backs and Russell prodded the ball forward inducing some guddling on the deck from England’s centres, Huw Jones, try sniffer extraordinaire, was on hand to collect and scoot home from eight metres for his ninth try for Scotland.  Laidlaw converted (10-3, 16 mins).

From the kick-off, Scotland were penalised for being in an obstructive position and Farrell immediately pulled back three points (10-6, 18 mins).

Russell, with one lovely cross field touch-finder and then another miss-pass to the persistently threatening Jones had enjoyed his opening quarter.

There was a sense England were looking to crank it up through their pack but the second turnover penalty won by Barclay  close to his own 22 was quickly tapped and Maitland had a dart up the touchline.  Pete Horne rescued and then Russell, at this most cavalier, threw an exquisite pass to Jones.  The centre romped into the 22, Scotland recycled and Ryan Wilson, Barclay, Laidlaw and McInally played critical roles in sustaining the move before Russell, with yet another miss-one pass, found Maitland for the most glorious of tries.  Maitland scored against England on his debut in 2013 at Twickenham and it was his third try in successive BT Murrayfield outings and his eighth overall for Scotland.  Laidlaw could not land the difficult touchline conversion (15-6, 30 mins).

If that was stunning, Scotland’s third try was remarkable.  Barclay had thumped on off a lineout ball – that he had set up through yet another piece of burglary at the breakdown that England had thwarted illegally.  Laidlaw then found Huw Jones and unerringly the centre burst the first line of defence between Hughes and Farrell and then had the pace and strength to carry Mike Brown and Anthony Watson over the line with him.  It was try number ten for Jones. What a strike rate!  Laidlaw converted (22-6, 38 mins).

Half-time: Scotland 22/6 England

The second-half started with a response from England that had to be expected but after Mike Ford and Jonny May had menaced on the left Scotland again counter-rucked with such vigour that they secured another invaluable turnover, within sniffing distance of their try line.

England however were not to be denied and Farrell was released on the narrow side of a ruck by Danny Care to canter in for their first try of the day.  Farrell converted (22-13, 43 mins).

England were penalised for slowing up ball at a ruck as they sought to capitalise on an interception through Care.  Instead, from five metres inside the England half, Stuart Hogg lined up a kick at goal, which drifted to the right of the posts.

The game continued to bubble like some intoxicating elixir and Scotland seemed to have created an opening only for Hamish Watson to fail to latch onto a pass that lacked sympathy from Horne.

Farrell’s dominance of the England scoresheet looked to have continued as from Lawes’ tackle on Barclay, Anthony Watson led the chase and Farrell grounded the ball.  However, TMO Simon McDowell ruled that Lawes’ forearm had knocked the ball forward and play was brought back into then England half for a scrum feed for Scotland.

Ball was a slow commodity from breakdown but after a pirouette in midfield from Wilson, Scotland got the precious manna of quick ball.  Hogg and Maitland combined on the left touchline but the move foundered on English defence.

Scotland’s discipline had been better than England’s and another breakdown penalty on their ten metre line enabled Scotland to find touch midway in English territory.

Almost on cue a penalty against England’s back-row replacement Sam Underhill for a blatant body check on Jamie Bhatti – a yellow card was the immediate consequence – saw Russell extract maximum mileage with his first penalty of the game (25-13, 66 mins).

In a frantic finale England threw the kitchen sink to try to pulverise their way to a score but Scotland’s defence was unrelenting and in the 125^th playing of the Calcutta Cup the most venerable of trophies – first presented in 1879 – will join the Century Quaich, the Hopetoun Cup and Auld Alliance trophy in the BT Murrayfield cabinet! What a day!

Full-time: Scotland 25/13 England

Scotland: Stuart Hogg; Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones, Pete Horne (all Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Saracens); Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont Auvergne); Gordon Reid (London Irish), Stuart McInally, Simon Berghan, Grant Gilchrist (all Edinburgh Rugby), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), John Barclay (Scarlets) CAPTAIN, Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors).

Subs: Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) for Reid (55 mins), Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) for Berghan (69 mins), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) for Gilchrist (55 mins), Dave Denton (Worcester Warriors) for Wilson (69 mins), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) for Laidlaw (62 mins), Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors) for Horne (71 mins), Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby) for Seymour (64 mins).

England: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Jonny May; George Ford, Danny Care; Mako Vunipola, Dylan Hartley captain, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Chris Robshaw, Nathan Hughes.

Subs: Jamie George for Hartley (56 mins), Joe Marler for Vunipola (69 mins), Harry Williams for Cole (65 mins), George Kruis for Launchbury (71 mins), Sam Underhill for Hughes (53 mins) Richard Wigglesworth for Care (71 mins), Ben Te’o for Ford (65 mins), Jack Nowell for Brown (55 mins).

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Assistant referees: Jerome Garces (France) and Andrew Brace (Ireland).  TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland).

Crowd: 67,144

NatWest Man of the Match: Finn Russell (Scotland)

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