In between times the England have had the better of it by some distance, but this was truly one for the ages for the Scots. This first win at Twickenham in 38 years – and only their fifth at the home of English rugby – saw them not only lift the Calcutta Cup, but knock the reigning champions off their perch.
As Scotland’s outstanding captain Stuart Hogg and his men leaped for joy on a pitch that has brought them so much pain, they could reflect on doing a ruthlessly professional job by outplaying a desperately flat, disappointing England side in every department.
Pre-match reports that the Scottish forwards were going to get after an English pack weakened by front row injuries were soon confirmed, and the much-vaunted strength-indepth of Eddie Jones’ side proved significantly shallower than expected.
The Scots disrupted England at the scrum, where Scottish props Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson put the heat on Will Stuart and Ellis Genge, and at the lineout, where Scotland’s unsung hero Scott Cummings was almost flawless as was Jonny Gray.
In the loose the momentum was wrenched off the English loose trio, with both Scottish flankers, Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie, trumping Tom Curry and Mark Wilson in attack and defence.
There was also a points victory for the young Scotland No.8 Matt Fagerson, because Billy Vunipola struggled to make his usual headway. Vunipola’s lack of match-practice showed, as it did with his Saracens teammates Owen Farrell, Jamie George, and Elliot Daly, with only Maro Itoje able to rise to the occasion.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 7, 2021 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 7, 2021 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.