England clinched the Calcutta Cup with a nail-biting 16-15 victory over Scotland at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on February 22, 2025. This triumph marks England's first win over their fierce rivals since 2020, breaking Scotland's recent dominance which included four consecutive victories. With this win, head coach Steve Borthwick's team rekindles their hopes for the Six Nations title.
The match unfolded dramatically with England initially taking the lead when Tommy Freeman crashed over for the game's opening try after just nine minutes. Freeman’s powerful performance set the tone, and England strived to maintain their advantage as the teams exchanged battles throughout the first half.
Scotland quickly answered back with tries from key players, including Ben White after they executed several well-coordinated plays. The vibrant Scottish backline, led by Finn Russell, displayed their capacity for creating opportunities, though Russell faced struggles of his own with goal-kicking accuracy, leaving points on the field. Brown, England's fly-half, converted successfully, ensuring the hosts remained competitive.
A pivotal moment came late on when Duhan van der Merwe, with mere moments left on the clock, dancing down the wing, scored under pressure, bringing Scotland within reach of victory at 16-15. All eyes turned to Russell as he lined up the game-winning conversion attempt. Unfortunately for Scotland fans, the conversion drifted wide, sealing England’s hard-fought victory.
Borthwick reflected on the importance of the win, expressing pride at the team's resilience and evolution amid adversity. "I’m delighted... it’s important to win, especially against good teams like Scotland. We have areas to improve on and we will need to adapt as we look forward to our next games against tough opponents like Wales and Italy."
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend acknowledged the disappointment of falling so narrowly short, saying, "We scored three tries to one, and we can be proud of the effort, but we know we have to be more clinical with the chances we created today." His sentiments echoed those of co-captain Rory Darge, who stated, "We scored more tries... but we made enough opportunities to win. It’s tough to take, especially against England."
Duhan van der Merwe, named Man of the Match, praised England's defense saying, "We had chances, but their defense did well to keep us out. We need to find ways to convert those opportunities next time." The match highlighted the contrasts between both teams—England's gritty resilience vs. Scotland's flair and creativity—and set the stage for intriguing future encounters.
Categorically, this clash reignited the storied rivalry, illustrating why the Calcutta Cup remains one of rugby's most thrilling matchups. With England's momentum restored and Scotland reflecting on missed chances, both teams have plenty to ponder as they prepare for their next fixtures. This emotional encounter only underlines how fiercely contested this age-old battle remains, reminding fans and players alike why they be drawn back again and again to the rugby field.
Looking forward, England hopes to build upon this success, with expectations riding high. The Scottish side will need to rebound quickly, reflecting on the valuable lessons learned against their old foes. With upcoming matches approaching, both teams will enter their next battles with renewed anticipation and strategies as they gear up for the competitive nature of the Six Nations.