Scotland unleashed another Murrayfield nightmare on England as they regained the Calcutta Cup – and eased the pressure on Gregor Townsend – with a 31-20 victory that extinguished their rivals’ 12‑Test winning run.England, chasing a first Murrayfield win since 2020, arrived in Edinburgh full of expectation on the back of a year‑long winning streak, only to be met with a sobering and all-too familiar reality check.
Henry Arundell’s early sin‑binning set a disastrous English first half in motion, one from which there was no way back as a rampant Scotland, led by the inspirational Finn Russell, plundered tries from Huw Jones and Jamie Ritchie inside the opening quarter of an hour.
Arundell looked to have ignited a first-half England fightback with a try on his return from the bin, but Ben White capitalised on an Ellis Genge error to tighten Scotland’s grip on the contest before Arundell saw yellow for a second time – and a 20-minute red – for taking Kyle Steyn out in the air.Scotland kept an improved England at arm’s length in the second half and ended the contest for good when George Ford’s attempted drop goal was charged down by Matt Fagerson, who released Jones to race clear for his second – and Scotland’s bonus‑point‑clinching fourth try.
Scotland’s response to their opening‑round loss in Italy was so rousing that Ben Earl’s late score amounted to little more than scant consolation for an England side comprehensively beaten for the first time in a long while.
Scotland 31-20 England – Score summary
Scotland – Tries: Jones (10, 53) Ritchie (14), White (27); Conversions: Russell (11, 15, 28, 54); Penalties: Russell (4).
England – Tries: Arundell (21), Earl (78); Conversions: Ford (23, 78); Penalties: Ford (26, 45).
Scotland inflict latest Murrayfield nightmare on EnglandIf Finn Russell’s early penalty settled Scottish nerves, then Arundell’s sin‑binning for not releasing in the tackle gave them the extra impetus they needed. By the time Arundell returned, Scotland had scored 14 unanswered points.
Russell’s stunning off‑the‑cuff flick sent Jones over in the corner, before Sione Tuipulotu’s looped pass put Ritchie over untouched as Scotland made full use of the numerical advantage.
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Huw Jones scores Scotland’s first try
Trailing 17-0 inside the opening quarter of an…
2026-02-14 18:30:00
