Five things we learned as England regained the Calcutta Cup - chof 360 news

By Charlie Bennett at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

England snapped Scotland’s four-year hold on the Calcutta Cup with a 16-15 win after Finn Russell missed a last-minute conversion at Twickenham.

Russell could have kicked Scotland to a fifth straight victory in this fixture for the first time in their history but just tugged his effort wide from tight to the left touchline following a Duhan Van der Merwe try.

Marcus Smith and Fin Smith kicked three penalties between them in the second half, and England overcame a 10-7 half-time deficit, with Ben White and Huw Jones scoring Scottish tries.

Tommy Freeman crossed for England’s sole try shortly after White’s fourth-minute effort in an error-strew match but held on to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive.

England learn how to win

Last autumn, England had developed a reputation for cracking under pressure – with New Zealand, Australia and South Africa all scoring decisive match-winning tries in the final 20 minutes at Twickenham.

In two weeks, that narrative has been flipped on its head.

Elliot Daly’s match-winning try against France, and this second-half come-from-behind win against Scotland suggests they are learning how to get the job done, even if there was a degree of fortune thanks to Russell’s late miss.

England had no right winning it when you consider Scotland had 59% territory, 58% possession, carried 462 metres further, made seven more line breaks and 148 passes.

Yet win it they did and the importance of it – and especially the manner in which it was secured – was not lost on a clearly relieved head coach Steve Borthwick.

"This young group stayed in the fight and they kept composure and they kept running hard,” he said.

“They eventually found a way to win."

Russell’s awful day costs Scotland history

For all of his excellent passing and first-half control, Finn Russell’s performance will be best remembered for the three kicks that cost Scotland victory.

Three conversion attempts and three misses is a disappointing stat line for a fly-half that has matured into one of the best goal-kickers in the northern hemisphere. Test matches are often decided by fine margins – and, also, often by the kickers.

None of Russell’s kicks were gimmes, especially the decisive attempt in the last minute, but considering he missed just one of 23 attempts last year, with a 95.7% success rate, this will sting for some time.

It will also paper over how Russell was at the forefront of a Scotland attack that outplayed England’s.

They went wide early and often, and punched through England’s defence to the tune of three tries. Had he converted just one of them, there would have been a different outcome.

Van der Merwe continues to terrorise England

Is there a player in world rugby who terrifies a team more than Duhan Van der Merwe does England?

The big winger was again outstanding and took his personal try tally against the Auld Enemy to seven with the score that set up Russell was the match-defining kick.

Tackling big Duhan is an unenviable task and full-back Marcus Smith was twice tossed to one side, as Van der Merwe wreaked havoc almost each time he touched the ball.

From stepping into midfield and helping to spring Tom Jordan for move that led to the first try, to setting up Jones for the second, his contribution was huge.

England re-set at half-time and cut off his supply line by preventing Scotland from going wide so quickly. Keeping him quiet was key to victory.

Lions spots decided

With Lions head coach Andy Farrell watching from the stands, this was always going to be a key day for many hopefuls.

For England, Fin Smith’s cojones under pressure was again impressive, and his stock is surely rising. His 50-metre penalty proved to be a match-winner, in contrast to Russell’s kicking woes, while he was immense in defence.

The England front row bossed their Scottish counterparts and Ellis Genge and Will Stuart did their chances plenty of good, while flanker Ben Earl grew into the game and carried brilliantly. Farrell has at least five players worthy of playing openside flanker this summer, and Earl’s performance may keep him in the frame.

For Scotland, Huw Jones took his try brilliantly and must surely be in contention for a centre berth despite the strong competition, while Jamie Ritchie was the stand-out back-row on the field and won two turnover penalties.

Championship hangs on France’s trip to Dublin

Ireland remain the favourites to win a historic third straight Six Nations but England’s win here means they will likely chase them all the way to Super Saturday.

Italy are still to visit south-west London in Round 4 and, though they are much improved and undoubtedly a threat, they are yet to beat England in their previous 24 Six Nations attempts. England then finish off in Cardiff.

Though they were far from convincing against Scotland, Gregor Townsend’s side are a level up from Italy and Wales – and England will be favourites to finish the Six Nations with four wins from five.

Ireland finish in Rome and it’s almost unfathomable to foresee them slipping up there, making their Round 4 match against France the defining fixture.

If Les Bleus, who face Italy on Sunday, can emerge from Dublin with a win, it blows the Championship wide open for the final day and brings both England and potentially France into play. If not, an Ireland Grand Slam beckons.

Get the latest news delivered to your inbox

Follow us on social media networks

PREV England’s Jos Buttler remains optimistic after record-breaking defeat by Australia - chof 360 news
NEXT England 16-15 Scotland: Calcutta Cup Six Nations player ratings - chof 360 news