Scotland v England LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations
Scotland 30-21 England: Duhan van der Merwe’s sublime hat-trick helped Scotland to a historic fourth straight win in the Calcutta Cup
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Your support makes all the difference.Duhan van der Merwe scored a superb hat-trick as Scotland rugby beat England rugby 30-21 at Murrayfield to claim a fourth successive Six Nations win in the fixture for the first time since the 1890s.
England, seeking a third Six Nations win for the first time since 2020, led through a George Furbank try after five minutes and looked in control, only for Van der Merwe to strike twice to help the hosts to a somewhat flattering 17-13 half-time lead.
The winger, who scored two superb tries in Scotland’s victory at Twickenham last season, collected a Finn Russell kick three minutes into the second half for his third, and two Russell penalties stretched Scotland’s lead to 30-16.
England emptied their bench and replacement wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso grabbed their second try after 66 minutes but, unlike in their opening wins over Italy and Wales, they could not complete the comeback as Scotland claimed their second victory having agonisingly lost to France last time out.
Relive all the action from Murrayfield below:
Scotland vs England
Out they come past the Calcutta Cup, that old silver tankard shining bright beneath the disappearing sun. The Scottish home support are already in outstanding voice.
Scotland vs England
Ahead of kick off, those inside the ground pay tribute to the retiring Dr James Robson, for so long a sideline stalwart for Scotland and the British & Irish Lions. He’ll finish up at the end of this Six Nations campaign after more than 30 years working within rugby - a remarkable stint for one of the sport’s most generous individuals.
Right, the two sides are getting ready in the tunnel, Jamie George taking a moment as the emotions swirl. A tough, but hopefully immensely proud, day for the England captain.
Scotland vs England
It’s a dry day at Murrayfield, which looks packed to the rafters for the visit of the Auld Enemy. England went back to a more pragmatic approach in the second half against Wales but have tried to play more expansively in this Six Nations so far - and George Furbank’s selection perhaps hints at a desire to attack this evening.
Why power-packed pair could hold the key to getting England’s attack firing
England are trying to play more expansively than at the World Cup – could the return of Ollie Lawrence and Manu Tuilagi from injury get them clicking?
Scotland vs England
A broad smile on the face of Finn Russell as he and the Scottish backline work through some final drills. What have he and Gregor Townsend concocted to try and best this much talked about England defence?
Scotland v England team news
Blair Kinghorn returns to the Scotland side after overcoming injury, with Kyle Steyn also returning to the starting back three having been a late scratch against France due to the impending arrival of his newborn daughter. Former skipper Jamie Ritchie is brought back on the blindside to complement Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey in the back row, with Matt Fagerson out of the squad entirely.
England also switch full backs, though Freddie Steward’s demotion comes as more of a surprise after a strong performance in the win over Wales. George Furbank is preferred to the Leicester man after an impressive season leading Northampton to the top of the Premiership table, and offers an extra pair of distributing hands with Ollie Lawrence in to add carrying potency in midfield after injury. Danny Care replaces the injured Alex Mitchell at scrum half and wins his 99th cap, while George Martin returns to the bench.
Scotland XV: 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson; 4 Grant Gilchrist, 5 Scott Cummings; 6 Jamie Ritchie, 7 Rory Darge (co-capt), 8 Jack Dempsey; 9 Ben White, 10 Finn Russell (co-capt); 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Kyle Steyn; 15 Blair Kinghorn.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Andy Christie; 21 George Horne, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Cameron Redpath.
England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (capt), 3 Dan Cole; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Ollie Chessum; 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Danny Care, 10 George Ford; 11 Elliot Daly, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 13 Henry Slade, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 George Furbank.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Martin, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South; 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
England and Scotland face fork in the road with Calcutta Cup set to define their Six Nations
“There’s certainly going to be some niggle,” predicted Kevin Sinfield, a smile spreading almost involuntarily across his face. England’s assistant coach may not be as versed in the Calcutta Cup rivalry as some on Steve Borthwick’s staff, but the ex-rugby league star has learned quickly what this fixture means, a tussle of thistle and rose so often appropriately thorny.
“When you’ve got two angry, nasty forward packs wanting to go at each other, there’ll be some niggle,” Sinfield expanded. “It’s a Test match, there’s a lot at stake, we haven’t won against them for a number of years – no doubt there’ll be some niggle.”
For England, this trip north feels like a game of paramount importance. It is four years since they last swigged the sips of success from the old silver chalice, and seven since they put on a performance to be proud of in this fixture. The middle weekend is the natural Six Nations pivot point but England’s path from here will be significantly rockier if their rough recent run does not end. Win and they’ll carry momentum through to a demanding two-week coda in which performances may matter more than results; lose and another two-win tournament may well beckon with fixtures against Ireland and France to come.
Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full preview of the game:
England and Scotland face fork in the road with Calcutta Cup to define Six Nations
Scotland bid to continue their recent supremacy in a fixture that feels like the pivot point of this year’s Six Nations
New dad Kyle Steyn keen to keep Calcutta Cup in Scotland’s hands
New father Kyle Steyn is intent on helping Scotland maintain their recent ownership of the Calcutta Cup this weekend after watching helplessly from his couch as his team-mates suffered an agonising Six Nations defeat against France last time out.
The Glasgow wing was named in the starting XV for the Murrayfield showdown with Les Bleus a week past Saturday, but he had to withdraw on the morning of the game after his wife Ally went into labour late on the Friday afternoon.
Steyn’s daughter, Arabella, eventually arrived via Caesarean section late on Monday morning, almost two days after the 20-16 defeat by France in which the Scots were controversially denied victory after the officials decided against awarding them a late try when Sam Skinner thought he had grounded the ball on the whitewash.
New dad Kyle Steyn keen to keep Calcutta Cup in Scotland’s hands
Steyn withdrew on the morning of the France loss after his wife Ally went into labour late on Friday afternoon, but he could return against England.
Alfie Barbeary hoping to seize chance as England A face Portugal
There is one more fixture this weekend that we have not yet touched on, with the grand return of England’s ‘A’ side at Welford Road.
World Cup darlings Portugal are in Leicester for an intriguing encounter with a second-string squad chock full of bright young talents - with Alfie Barbeary one of England’s top prospects.
Alfie Barbeary: ‘I shot myself in the foot – but I know Steve Borthwick is watching’
Exclusive interview: The Bath No 8’s suspension ended his hopes of a full call-up but he has the opportunity to make a positive impression in England A’s fixture against Portugal
Scotland v England build-up
England to wear black armbands
We’re just receiving news that England will wear black armbands during this afternoon’s Calcutta Cup clash. That’s in honour of Jamie George’s mother, who died of cancer last week.
The skipper will lead England out on what is likely to be a very emotional day.
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