England secured a hard-fought 16-15 victory over Scotland at Twickenham, ending a run of four consecutive defeats by their rivals. Despite Scotland outscoring England three tries to one, the hosts managed to hold on to regain the Calcutta Cup and keep their Six Nations title hopes alive.
Scotland took an early lead, scoring a try through scrum-half Ben White within four minutes of kick-off. However, England quickly responded with winger Tommy Freeman crossing the try line and Marcus Smith converting to put the hosts ahead 7-5. The relentless Duhan van der Merwe continued to trouble England’s defense, setting up Huw Jones for another Scottish try to make it 10-7 at halftime.
In the second half, England fought back with two penalties from Marcus Smith and a long-range effort from Fin Smith, taking a 16-10 lead with just 10 minutes remaining. Scotland’s Van der Merwe threatened once again with his seventh try against England, but Finn Russell’s missed conversion proved costly as England held on for a narrow victory.
The win kept England in contention for the Six Nations title, staying in touch with unbeaten Ireland. Coach Steve Borthwick’s decision to stick with the ‘dual playmakers’ strategy paid off, with Marcus Smith showcasing his attacking prowess despite some defensive vulnerabilities.
Scotland’s Jamie Ritchie impressed with several turnovers, while Van der Merwe continued to be a standout performer for the visitors. The match was a thrilling contest with both teams showcasing their attacking flair and defensive resilience.
Overall, England’s victory over Scotland was crucial in keeping their Six Nations title hopes alive and ending their losing streak against their rivals. The Calcutta Cup win was a significant boost for Borthwick’s side as they look ahead to their remaining fixtures in the championship.
