THE HISTORY BOYS
Scotland’s heroes beat England at Twickenham for the first time since 1983
ENGLAND 6 SCOTLAND 11 Scotland laid one of rugby’s longest hoodoos to rest with a stunning win at Twickenham.
On what was the 150th anniversary of the first rugby international between the old rivals, the Dark Blues won at England’s HQ for the first time in 38 years.
The statistics showed Scotland smashed England in every aspect bar the scoreboard, and the closeness of the scoreline made for an almost unbearably tense game.
There were hearts in Scottish mouths just a minute in when Maro Itoje charged down Ali Price’s box kick but, just short of the line, England were penalised for going off their feet at the ruck.
Just a couple of minutes later, though, Finn Russell’s penalty gave us the first points of the day after Scotland rumbled their way down the paddock and England infringed to keep them at bay.
Dark Blues debutant Cam Redpath then showed he’s ready for Test rugby when he picked up a loose England pass and hoofed it down the pitch to relieve the building pressure, following that up with a lovely break.
Scotland were playing with swagger, confidence and aggression – dominating territory and possession – while the Red Rose brigade seemed discombobulated by being put under so much unfamiliar pressure.
England, Itoje especially, were clearly – and illegally – targeting scrum-half Price and just after referee Andrew Brace warned them about the mounting penalty count Billy Vunipola was sinbinned for a high tackle on Russell.
The Scots earned a five-metre scrum and, without their hefty No.8 anchoring, England’s pack was toiling but the increasing pressure was relieved when Russell’s chip to the left flank agonisingly bounced an inch over Duhan van der Merwe’s outstretched hands, though he could have caught it had he jumped even a little.
The big wing wasn’t to be denied for long, though, barrelling over the whitewash despite the attentions of three defenders after terrific Scottish handling worked the ball up the pitch.
But England steadied the ship and it was Scotland who started to look all at sea as Farrell’s first penalty cut the deficit and, after Russell replaced Vunipola in the bin for a foolish trip on Ben Youngs, his second cut Scotland’s half-time lead to just two points despite their bossing so much of the opening 40.
Despite being a man down Scotland roared out of the traps once more but Eddie Jones had clearly read the riot act in the home dressing-room and his charges re-emerged with more energy and focus.
Their discipline was still lacking, however, and you wondered how many penalties Itoje would be allowed before he was shown yellow as he racked up his sixth just after the restart.
Yet another penalty allowed the returned Russell to nudge his team that bit further ahead but he missed from the tee when Itoje – yes, again – infringed.
The ref belatedly warned England about their indiscipline once more and Scotland tried to turn the screw – and maybe get an opponent yellow-carded – by kicking a penalty to the corner but conceded a turnover as they attempted to maul the ball over the line.
England were finally beginning to show up in attacking sense as the Scots retreated into their shells somewhat but even though
England had been warned the next man to infringe would be binned, they somehow remained at full strength.
Hogg missed a long-range penalty attempt that would have put Scotland more than a converted score ahead, ensuring a nerve-shredding final 10 minutes.
But the Dark Blue wall held fast and when England knocked on, Hamish Watson booted the ball off the pitch for a famous – and long overdue – victory. ENGLAND – Daly; Watson (Malins 76), Slade, Lawrence (Ford 69), May; Farrell, Youngs (Robson 56); Genge (Obano 72), George (Cowan-Dickie 56), Stuart (Williams 63), Itoje, Hill, Wilson (Lawes 53), Curry, Vunipola (Earl 67).
SCOTLAND – Hogg (Capt.); Maitland (Jones 72), Harris, Redpath, Van der Merwe; Russell, Price (Steele 69); Sutherland (Kebble 64), Turner (Cherry 67), Z. Fagerson (Nel 64), Cummings, J. Gray, Ritchie (R. Gray 66), Watson, M. Fagerson (Graham 64). Unused replacement – Van der Walt.