Treasure the moment because writing about a Scottish Six Nations rugby match is never as good as this.
Scotland went down to Twickenham on Saturday to begin their 2021 Six Nations campaign with many heavy clouds hanging over the Blues, threatening to break into downpours.
Scotland had lost the Calcutta Cup to England in a turgid affair caused by the weather in Murrayfield last year. On Saturday they were matching up with the defending Six Nations champions and World Cup runners-up, and they were playing this goliath of international rugby on its home turf where they haven’t been defeated by Scotland in almost 40 years.
Those clouds hanging over Scotland were heavy and dark, but, in an extraordinary set of circumstances, that Saturday evening the storm didn’t just hold and steadily dissipate, it cleared entirely, leaving blue skies and sunshine beaming down on the national team’s rugby future.
A deserved victory over England
Not only did Scotland win, they won at a canter.
The score was summed up as one of the most one-sided 11-6 victories in the history of the game.
The stats were completely weighted in Scotland’s favour. 65 per cent possession, 70 per cent territory, 260 metres made compared to 170. These are usually held in total reversal and would be seen in the England column of numbers, not Scotland.
“Scotland played the game on the day, using anything and everything that could get them over the line.”
This publication said that an empty Twickenham, with its towering stands silently lurching over the pitch, would affect the game in two ways – either Scotland would be totally exposed, the players having no where to turn, or England’s performance would be affected.
England’s performance wasn’t just affected, it never came through. Spectators watching from home, as is the new norm with sport, sat in disbelief as referee Andrew Brace whistled for penalty after penalty against the English – nine in under twenty minutes. The result was Billy Vunipola sent to the bin and Finn Russell putting Scotland three ahead.
From there it was all one way traffic. At no point did England pose a real threat of scoring a try – Scotland could easily have had three.
Duhan Van der Merwe got over the line on thirty minutes, the play dictated by the wizardry of Russell’s right boot and the hard work of Sean Maitland and Matt Fagerson.
There was a lapse in the Scottish performance – as there is always expected to be. The mistake came from what’s described in the industry as a ‘brianfart’. The brainfart of the day was made by Finn Russell, sticking out a leg to try trip Ben Youngs a minute before half-time. Russell was sent to the bin.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend’s reaction: “I’m very aware of the history. I’ve come down here a number of times as a player and as a coach and not come away with anything. It’s got to be up there with the best results in our history. It wasn’t just one way of playing there was a lot of variety in our play. There were leaders right through our team. Finn leading the attack, Stuart leading the 15 and Ali inside him.”
More articles:
–Scotland Beat England At Twickenham In Their Opening Round Of Six Nations 2021: Match Report
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Scotland dominate at 14
Once Brace had shown the yellow card to Russell, Scots supporters flapped their hands thinking that’s it – another year to be added to the 38 already hurting.
England’s vengeful onslaught, raging at their noisy neighbour causing them such embarrassment in the home of rugby, never materialised.
Youngs hit a box-kick after the restart that was claimed by Scotland and the Blues – finally! – played clever rugby. The forwards ate down the clock until Russell’s return. In fact Scotland were so confident they attempted another try.
In the end Russell sauntered back on the pitch and kicked three more points.
You need to play rugby to be good at it
Many feel, and it is certainly a factor, that Scotland’s victory was partly due to England’s reliance on the Saracens boys, which Jones’ team is built around, not being up to speed because they aren’t currently playing – Saracens were relegated from the Premiership last season in a wage cap breach and due to covid haven’t played much rugby of late.
It’s a fair point – you need to play rugby to be good at it, but it’s disrespectful to Scotland’s performance for England to cop that excuse. England were beaten all over the park, including with the non-Saracen players.
And there’s another point to that as well – to be good at rugby you need to play it. Many times England have been criticised for playing a formulaic, to-the-book style of rugby exhibited well by a kicking contest England won in the first half.
However, and this is what was so much more satisfying about Scotland’s victory, Scotland played rugby. They played the game on the day, using anything and everything that could get them over the line. This is epitomised in Finn Russell’s carefree style of unpredictable rugby that is so enthralling to watch.
The last words go to the coach who is doing a superb job leading the team. Gregor Townsend is the best man to sum up the day after having so many battles against the English, both on and off the field. With a broad smile on the mild mannered Scot and dare we say more liquid in the eyes than usual, Townsend simply described it as one of the best results in Scottish rugby history.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 