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:
Second half...
Scotland are 40 minutes from a fourth successive Calcutta Cup win - but they’ve struggled to maintain their effort into the second half so far this Six Nations. Can they take control of this error-prone contest?
HT: Scotland 17-13 England
An odd half to figure out, that. A high error count, low penalty count combo has meant a game that has felt short of structure at times, with plenty of scrappy stuff from both teams. The two moments of real quality were split evenly, England’s opening score from the set-piece beautifully constructed, and Scotland’s first try off the top of a lineout equally effective.
But it’s Duhan van der Merwe‘s cut through the chaos that has the hosts in front:
Scotland 17-13 England, 40 minutes
Powerful mauling from England to make ten metres or so, but a final handling error in an untidy first half brings it to an end.
Scotland 17-13 England, 38 minutes
Scotland play away from a lineout just inside England’s half, twice trying to work hands to the outside of that hard outside blitz. England’s shooters get their timing right, shutting Scotland down and taking them behind the gainline twice, allowing Henry Slade to hack a spilled pass upfield.
England’s chase is good, but Scotland manufacture a clearance. George Ford sends something skywards, and Finn Russell marks it. His kick will give England an attacking platform on the ten-metre line.
Drop goal! Scotland 17-13 ENGLAND (George Ford drop goal, 37 minutes)
England answer! Shades of that game against Argentina in Marseille from George Ford, dropping into the pocket as England lose momentum and slotting with minimal fuss.
PENALTY! SCOTLAND 17-10 England (Finn Russell penalty, 35 minutes)
He’s yet to miss in this year’s championship - that’s 12 from 12 off the tee from Finn Russell.
Scotland 14-10 England, 45 minutes
A penalty inside England’s 22 should allow Finn Russell to add three more to the Scottish tally.
Scotland 14-10 England, 33 minutes
Nearly another for Van der Merwe! This helter-skelter contest continues, Huw Jones spinning out of a tackle and then toeing on, his big wing first to the ball as it spins like a top on the surface. Van der Merwe fly hacks and would surely have got there to ground if not for Elliot Daly’s outstretched right foot, a vital save from the England wing to deny his opposite number a hat-trick.
TRY! SCOTLAND 14-10 England (Duhan van der Merwe try, 30 minutes)
Duhan van der Merwe scorches a trail up the touchline and races away!
What an athlete he is! It’s another England error that creates the opportunity, George Ford’s pass slightly high for George Furbank, a flick of the fingers and into the face before rebounding into Scottish hands.
Huw Jones’s paws are rather more secure and his pass is sharp, putting Van der Merwe into space. Ben Earl is quick for a back rower but nowhetre near quick enough to keep up with Van der Merwe in full pyroclastic flow, the Scotland wing burning Henry Slade on the angle and stomping into the left corner. Finn Rusell converts.
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