7. Sam Underhill – 6.5
Big hits and provided a strong effort in defence, as England’s blitz defence suited his flying out the line style. However, the reckless approach saw the back row fatigue, and gaps open up around him. Made an important turnover at 43 minutes, as he was immovable to hold the ball up. New look with the scrum hat.
8. Ben Earl – 7
Missed the tackle on Duhan van der Merwe, as the titanic wing skipped away for his 2nd try. Provided his customary big collisions with fantastic speed off the line. Led the charge to gain 15m off the line with a solid defensive effort. Customary cheers and Equally loud complaints when his 61st minute turnover wasn’t allowed. Gave his thoughts once again on 64 minutes, as Millar-Mills turned the ball over with Earl on the deck.
Replacements
16. Theo Dan – 6
On for Jamie George at 68 minutes, with the young Saracen tested at a handful of set pieces. Solid at the line-out, it was good to see the front rower get an extended run after some under 10 minute cameos.
17. Joe Marler – 6.5
Upped the scrummaging offensive, and reminded the Six Nations as to why he is one of the world’s best up front.
18. Will Stuart – 6
Upped the tempo after Dan Cole emptied the tank, but gave away a scrum penalty at 73 minutes, as he clattered head on head to the opposite prop.
19. George Martin – 7.5
Immediate impact off the bench early in 2nd half, as he lifted the intensity with some excity carries. Great to see the man-missile back firing into tackles, yet the Tigers man blundered a glaring knock on at 49 minutes.
20. Chandler Cunningham-South – 7
Continues to play superbly well upon his introduction, Chandler Cunningham-South has once again outperformed Ethan Roots and could well get his first England start against Ireland. Great lift on the front foot in a man who relishes the collision.
21. Ben Spencer – 7
Early introduction at 47th minute, after Care’s underwhelming effort. Passed to Manny Feyi-Waboso for the new coming wing’s first England try. Provided a solid set of hands and shipped the ball to Ford and Fin Smith at a rate of knots.
22. Fin Smith – 7
Suprised some fans with the early timing of his introduction, Fin Smith looked comfortable on the big stage in only his second test match. 62nd minute saw Smith execute a wonderful kick for touch. Missed his first kick off the tee as the ball bounces off the posts. Knocked on a high ball as well.
23. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – 6.5
A memorable day for the young Exeter Chiefs wing, as he scored his first England try. Not long after coming on, the wing spots the gap on the outside of Cam Redpath and he scores on his second cap. Took the high balls well.
5 THINGS WE LEARNED – SCOTLAND 30 – 21 ENGLAND
1. DUHAN VAN DER MERWE IS ENGLAND’S NIGHTMARE AGAIN
Rightfully awarded Player of the Match, Duhan van der Merwe had a barnstorming performance in the Calcutta Cup win over England. The Scotland wing bagged a hat-trick of tries, with the pick off the bunch being a scintiliating solo effort as he skipped passed England’s resident tackle machine Ben Earl. Van der Merwe kicks into a different gear when he plays England and has steadily become the nightmare name on the teamsheet for England head coach Steve Borthwick.
The Edinburgh man made Borthwick’s first game in charge of England one to forget, as he crossed over for a brace of tries last year at Twickenham Stadium. The wing beat seven players on that day, and scored one of the all-time great Calcutta Cup tries as he darted through the defence from his own half, and evaded numerous tackle attempts.
2. SCOTLAND MAKE CALCUTTA CUP HISTORY
Scotland have achieved a record-equalling milestone, as they won their fourth consecutive match on the bounce against England. The impressive feat sees the Calcutta Cup retained North of the border, where it has remained since 2021. England have certainly begun to fall into the narrative of being ‘sent home, tae think again’ as the famous anthem goes.
Gregor Townsend’s men are now firmly in the history books, with the last time a Scotland side achieved this feat, was back in the 19th century. The last time Scotland won four in a row, was from 1893 to 1896, when Queen Victoria sat upon the throne. A truly historic accomplishment by the men in blue and tartan, as Scotland have established an unbreakable grip on the Calcutta Cup.
3. ENGLAND’S CENTRE CONUNDRUM ADDS IT’S NEXT CHAPTER
England fans were delighted to learn of Ollie Lawrence’s availability this week, as the Bath man made his comeback to the squad following a problematic knee injury. Lawrence was shipped into the starting line-up, as Northampton Saints midfielder Fraser Dingwall was dropped from the entire match day 23 after two strong outings against Wales and Italy. Expectations were high on Lawrence, however the centre failed to deliver by his best accounts.
Lawrence did not hit his top strides, and was nullified when trying to build up a head of steam in attack. Having starred for blue, black and white alongside Finn Russell, there was the added hope that Lawrence’s knowledge of his Bath teammate could hinder his attack, yet the Lionel Messi of rugby was able to evade his clutches time and again. Lawrence’s afternoon was best summed up by his wayward pass, that went sailing into touch to the chargrin of Ben Earl.
Now, the debate will surely emerge in the coming fallow week as to whether Manu Tuilagi shuld replace Lawerence upon his return. The Sale Sharks man was fully involved in training this passed week, yet Borthwick opted for Lawrence ahead of the Samoan born centre. There will certainly be plenty of discussion, as Bundee Aki gets set to punch holes through the England midfield in a fortnight’s time.
4. DANNY CARE AND BEN SPENCER SHAKE UP ENGLAND’S SCRUM-HALF RANKS
After Alex Mitchell was withdrawn from the England squad, Steve Borthwick handed the number nine jersey to Danny care for tonight’s clash with Scotland. However, the Harlequin did not hit the heights he would have hoped for, as his kicking mishaps hindered the flow of a hectic first half. Under-par by his high standards, Care was withdrawn for Bath scrum half Ben Spencer, who made his first England appearence since the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final.
Spencer had a solid effort, and the West Country man has certainly put his hand up for contention to start against Ireland. Spencer shipped the ball well to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, for the Exeter Chiefs man to explode through a gap for his first England try. It will be an interesting two weeks before England host Ireland at Twickenham, to see who emerges as the starting scrum half to take on Andy Farrell’s side.
5. RETURN OF THE KINGHORN
Toulouse fullback Blair Kinghorn marked his return from a knee injury in fine fettle, and he looks to only be improving whilst stationed out in the French Top 14. Delivering a classy first step on the gain-line, Kinghorn frequently wrong-footed the England players with some clever sidesteps, and often found his teammates with an offload.
Kinghorn made his Six Nations debut in this very same fixture just 12 months prior, as the then Edinburgh man burst to prominence in the win at Twickenham. Another man who has been giving Borthwick a re-occuring headache, Kinghorn’s poised approach to the back-three was well executed, and he was a key contributor to the overall win.