Scotland star Ben White celebrating his try against England. (Image: Getty)
Scotland are Calcutta Cup winners after a thrilling 31-20 win over a lethargic England. Tries from Jamie Richie, Ben White and Huw Jones sealed an incredible victory as Gregor Townsend’s side bounced back from their opening Six Nations defeat to Italy with a performance that will live long in the memory.
Winger Henry Arundell was shown a second yellow card in the first half, a 20-minute red card and a Calcutta Cup first, as the visitors were thoroughly overpowered by Scotland in the opening period. The game turned even more in Scotland’s favour when George Ford’s drop-goal was charged down and Huw Jones raced away to score and kickstart the party in Murrayfield. Here, Express Sport rates both teams in a Six Nations classic…
JORDAN – Quietest of the Scotland back three but quietly efficient at the same time. 6.
STEYN – In-form and ruled the skies, making a mug out of Arundell in the first half. 8.
JONES – Seventh try against England in the first half and eighth in the second. Superb. 8.
TUIPULOTU (CAPT) – Set the tone for Scotland’s early onslaught and backed up pre-match chat. 8.
DOBIE – Versatile Dobie can play scrum-half as well but decent shift on the wing here. 7.
RUSSELL – Bath playmaker was on fire from the off – he always does against England. 9.
WHITE – Toulon scrum-half made the most of Genge’s horror show for the first-half score. 7.
MCBETH – Shock call-up for first Six Nations start and struggled at scrum-time against Heyes. 5.
TURNER – In for injured Ewan Ashman and not as prominent around the park as his rival. 5.
Z. FAGERSON – Most capped Scotland prop, but like McBeth, did not enjoy set-piece. 5.
BROWN – Big reputation enhanced in his tussle with Itoje and Chessum in the lineout. 7.
CUMMINGS – Huge contribution in the first half from Lions lock with a try-save. 8.
RITCHIE – Recalled after Italy defeat and another great effort before half-time replacement. 7.
DARGE – Took the fight to England at the breakdown and put his shots in when needed. 7.
DEMPSEY – Not as prominent as usual with the ball in hand, but all over it on the floor. 6.
Replacements: Cherry 5 (for Turner 50), Schoeman 6 (for McBeth 48), Millar Mills 5 (for Z.Fagerson 50), Williamson 5 (for Dempsey 56), M.Fagerson 7 (for Ritchie HT), Horne 6 (for White 57), Hastings, Graham
Henry Arundell was shown a red card in the first half. (Image: Getty)
STEWARD – Steady as you like under the high ball but could not get on front foot. 5.
ROEBUCK – Could have played for Scotland but got no change in the air from them. 5.
FREEMAN – Made some metres in midfield but might be better reverting to wing. 6.
DINGWALL – Defensive glue player could not hold England together in the first period. 6.
ARUNDELL – Hat-trick last week hero last week, brainless red card villain this week. 2.
FORD – In the firing line from the Scottish back row and charge down cost try. 5.
MITCHELL – Kicked away great possession early on but grew into the second half. 5.
GENGE – Horrendous error for White try but took it to the Scots at the scrum. 5.
COWAN-DICKIE – Promoted from the bench after the Wales game, and the lineout and scrum worked fine. 4.
HEYES – Superb at the set-piece yet again and growing into a key man. 6.
ITOJE (CAPT) – Back starting and good effort before bizarrely being replaced on 56 minutes. 5.
CHESSUM – Won his share of lineout ball but none of the rampaging runs from last week. 5.
PEPPER – Rising star was unusually quiet in the onslaught and hauled off early. 5.
UNDERHILL – Not seen with England on the back foot in the first half and replaced at the break. 4.
EARL – Carried bravely into enemy territory and deserved his late try for his efforts. 6.
Replacements: George 5 (for Cowan-Dickie 56), Rodd 5 (for Genge 56), Davison 4 (for Heyes 68), Coles 5 (for Itoje 56), Curry 7 (for Underhill HT), Pollock 6 (for Pepper 56), Spencer 5 (for Mitchell 68), Smith 5 (for Arundell 57)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GEO)