The Steve Borthwick era begins with a Calcutta Cup clash in the Six Nations at Twickenham this afternoon. It’s all change for England after their worst set of calendar-year results for 14 years in 2022 led to the end of Eddie Jones’ long tenure, a sacking that many felt was overdue but others panned with a World Cup approaching fast on the horizon.
Former captain Borthwick will be desperate for a fast start to his tenure in a huge year, having made plenty of changes already including a debut for Ollie Hassell-Collins but a raft of injuries ensuring that the Marcus Smith-Owen Farrell playmaking access remains for now. Scotland pose a tough test in the ex-Leicester chief’s first game at the helm, with opposite number Gregor Townsend aiming to make a splash in what could be his last few months in charge.
The Scots are looking for a hat-trick of successive wins in this famous old fixture and have not lost here since 2017. Follow England vs Scotland in the Six Nations live below, featuring expert analysis from Nick Purewal at English rugby HQ.
Live updates
Owen Farrell reaction
England’s captain speaking to ITV…
“We started 11 days ago. There has been massive improvement and I thought we did it in large parts. There is some stuff we need to get better at but we will look at it,” Farrell said.
“For now, we will give credit to Scotland for sticking at it like they did. They played well and scored that try in the end but it never felt like we went away, we caused them some problems and we’ll make sure we build on it.
“The thing we were gong to do, regardless of the result, was get better and we will do that. There were blips but it felt like we had good energy and were in the fight all the way through.”
Van der Merwe reaction
Scotland’s match-winner speaking to ITV…
“After the first half, we knew we had more in us and came out for the second half with a bang and managed to get the win so we are buzzing,” said Van der Merwe.
“They scored quite early and we knew we had to stay in the fight and we got some points on the board and responded. As a winger you don’t get a lot of opportunities so I needed to take them.
“I was quite surprised how I got my first but I will take that one all day long. We spoke about getting our first win of the Six Nations and next week we need to take some confidence from that.”
Contrasting emotions at Twickenham as Scotland lift the Calcutta Cup once again, but England go back to the drawing board…
Scotland’s jubilant players celebrate with the Calcutta Cup collected by captain Jamie Ritchie.
It’s the first time they’ve won it three years in a row for more than half a century – since 1972.
Some achievement from Gregor Townsend’s men.
Scotland’s fourth win in six in Calcutta Cup fixtures.
They have dominated this game in recent years.
Full-time
England 23-29 Scotland
Defeat for Steve Borthwick in his first game in charge of England thanks to those late Van der Merwe heroics.
Scotland retain the Calcutta Cup, winning it for the third year in a row.
They had not won at Twickenham for 38 years before 2021 – they now have two in quick succession.
Brilliant game.
80 mins: England are crashing through the phases in the Scottish 22 but it’s stout defending and captain Ritchie makes the most important defensive play of the game.
The final whistle sounds!
78 mins: Ollie Lawrence is on for Marchant in the England midfield.
78 mins: Some bulldozing carries from England and they get the breakdown penalty with time slipping away.
Farrell kicks for the lineout. They need to make this work.
TRY! England 23-29 Scotland | Duhan van der Merwe 75’
75 mins: Is that the score that condemns Steve Borthwick to defeat in his first match in charge of England?
Another sublime try – and a bonus point for Scotland. Russell converts! The lead is six with time running out.
It was great from Scotland, with Steyn making inroads down the right and narrowing the defence before they moved it quickly back left.
England were exposed in defence and Van der Merwe cut inside Smith and Farrell off the left wing before scoring with Malins on his back.
Twickenham silenced.
