England Wins Back Calcutta Cup From Scotland

England has won the Calcutta Cup after a very close game against Scotland. The final score was 16-15. Scotland missed some important kicks that could have won them the game. This win is a good step for England's team.
By Newsroom | Sports, Rugby |

London - England has reclaimed the Calcutta Cup, defeating Scotland 16-15 in a closely contested Six Nations match. The victory, marked by crucial missed kicks from Scotland and a late surge from the English side, ended a four-year drought for England in this historic fixture. The game, played at Twickenham, saw Scotland lose their grip on the trophy despite having opportunities to secure a fifth consecutive win.

The trick England missed that would have won the Calcutta Cup - and how Scotland made Steve Borthwick's side pay after Henry Arundell's red card, writes NIK SIMON - 1

Match Narrative and Key Turning Points

The Calcutta Cup match unfolded as a gritty and tension-filled encounter. England managed to secure a lead in the 67th minute, a position they had not held for much of the game. Scotland had chances to win, particularly through a late try that set up a potentially decisive conversion.

The trick England missed that would have won the Calcutta Cup - and how Scotland made Steve Borthwick's side pay after Henry Arundell's red card, writes NIK SIMON - 2

  • Scotland's Missed Opportunities: A significant factor in the outcome was Scotland's inability to capitalize on scoring chances. Finn Russell, often a key player for Scotland, missed a late conversion attempt that would have secured the win for his team. This, along with 19 handling errors and a general wastefulness in the first half, contributed to Scotland's defeat.

  • England's Defensive Effort: England's defense was under considerable pressure, with the team making 194 tackles, more than double Scotland's count. They were effective in killing Scotland attacks at crucial moments.

  • Strategic Decisions: At one point, England held a strong position at the set-piece, with opportunities to scrum. However, the team stuck to their original plan, rather than opting for a scrum. This decision has been identified as a potential missed trick that could have yielded a more comfortable victory.

England's Path to Victory

England's win is being framed as a sign of progress for Steve Borthwick's team. Despite facing challenges, they "found a way" to secure the win. The team's bench reportedly added punch in the later stages, contributing to Scotland's tiring legs and England's ability to score points. This victory allows England to regain the Calcutta Cup and builds momentum in the Six Nations championship.

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The trick England missed that would have won the Calcutta Cup - and how Scotland made Steve Borthwick's side pay after Henry Arundell's red card, writes NIK SIMON - 3

Scotland's Frustration and Future Outlook

For Scotland, the loss is a significant setback, slipping through their fingers after history beckoned. The team's ability to shift between strong and weak performances has been noted as infuriating. Despite the defeat, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend expressed defiance, aiming to motivate the team for upcoming matches. The missed goalkicks by Finn Russell, particularly the final conversion, have been highlighted as costly errors.

The trick England missed that would have won the Calcutta Cup - and how Scotland made Steve Borthwick's side pay after Henry Arundell's red card, writes NIK SIMON - 4

Analysis of Key Moments

  • The Final Conversion: The angled conversion attempt by Finn Russell, sailing approximately a meter wide of the post with 20 seconds left, remains a defining moment of the match. This miss denied Scotland a fifth successive Calcutta Cup victory.

  • England's Set-Piece Strength: Reports suggest England had a dominant position at the set-piece, a facet of the game they could have exploited further. Choosing not to scrum again, instead adhering to their initial game plan, has been questioned as a suboptimal strategic choice in hindsight.

  • Handling Errors and Tackling: Scotland's 19 handling errors and England's significant tackling output underscore the contrasting patterns of play. While Scotland's attack showed flashes of threat, their execution was hampered by errors. England's defense, though busy, ultimately proved effective.

Expert and Media Commentary

Nik Simon, writing for the Daily Mail, pointed to England's missed opportunity at the set-piece as a potential factor that could have secured the Calcutta Cup more decisively. He also noted how Scotland made Borthwick's side pay for Henry Arundell's red card. The Evening Standard highlighted how Finn Russell's missed kicks "cost Scotland dear," in a match where England seemed to have "forgotten how to lose." ESPN noted that England "made their own luck" and that the win marked a "step forward" in their development.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the Calcutta Cup?
England won the Calcutta Cup. They beat Scotland by one point.
Q: What was the score?
The score was 16-15 to England.
Q: Why did Scotland lose?
Scotland missed important kicks, especially near the end of the game. They also made some mistakes with the ball.
Q: Was it a close game?
Yes, it was a very close and exciting game. Both teams played hard.