Scotland end 38 year hoodoo with 11-6 win at Twickenham

Finn Russell led Scotlands charge as they recorded their first victory on English soil since 1983

The last time Scotland beat England at Twickenham, Micheal Jackson was number one with ‘Billie Jean’

In the preceding 38 years, Scotland have lost every encounter but did come close in the thrilling 38-38 draw in 2019.

England came into the 150th anniversary meeting as favourites, having won last years Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup but it was Scotland who regained the Calcutta Cup.

Duhan Van Der Merwe scored the games only try with England adding just two Owen Farrell penalties in response.

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Englands poor disipline costs them dear

If England are to make headway in this years championship, discipline is one area that needs attention.

Given the fact the team had little time to bond due to Jones naming a previously uncapped front row, the inexperience that came with this led the home to side to giving away three penalties before the clock struck four minutes.

The third of which proving costly as Finn Russell stepped up to put the visitors into an early 3-0 lead.

The penalty count continued to rise and got too high for referee Andrew Brace which culminated in Billy Vunipola getting ushered to the Sin Bin.

Scotland outplayed the hosts during the sin bin period and managed to extend their lead to eight points with Van Der Merwe crossing the whitewash following a lovely passage of play in what proved to be the only Five pointer of the contest.

Five minutes later and it was Scotland‘s turn to have a man sent to the bin with Russell getting his marching orders for a trip and Farrell halved the deficit to two points after slotting an earlier penalty for more illegal play.

Half time England 6-11 Scotland

The second half continued much in the same vain as the first with the hosts having the majority of the chances and the possession.

The confidence that flowed through the visitors attack and defence highlighted their pre-match belief that they could end their lengthy drought.

England, who have been criticised in recent months for playing ‘boring‘ rugby, never got close to scoring a try and only spent just over 90 seconds in the visitors 22 throughout the game.

More ill discipline followed and Russell added an extra 3 points before missing another penalty after the break in a half that Scotland perfected the art of ‘Game management‘.

Much to Englands fans frustration, the home side got embroiled in a kicking contest with fans at home could be excused for thinking they had turned into the Australian Open instead.

The full time whistle sounded shortly after with the inquisition taking place on Twitter immediately with fans and pundits alike questioning Eddie Jones future as England boss.

This was Englands lowest number of points scored on home soil since they were thumped 42-6 by then World Champions South Africa in November 2008.

Scotland on the day deserved the victory to bring an end to one of the longest droughts in World Rugby.

England look to rekindle their faint hopes of retaining the Six Nations with a Bonus Point victory over Italy this Saturday (Kick off 14.15 GMT)

Scotland meanwhile hope to repeat their heroics from the winter with another victory over the Welsh in Edinburgh on the same day (Kick off 16.45 GMT)

What they said

Eddie Jones (Speaking to BBC radio 5 live) “They played tough, edged the set-piece, won in the air and we just could not get in the game. We were not at the races today.

Jones who is under fire for recent showings realises he was at fault for the performance.

"I take responsibility - I didn't prepare the team well enough. We just had one of those days. We don't have many, but we had a bad one today.

Gregor Townsend is the first visiting Scottish coach to win at Twickenham since Derrick Grant and couldn’t contain his smile at the full time whistle.

Gregor Townsend “it felt like the players were in control today. We had a bit of defence to do at the end but the players stood up well. I'm very proud of the performance and there's a lot more to come from the players”