Scotland faced England at the Allianz Stadium on February 22, 2025, where they narrowly lost 16-15, marking England's first Calcutta Cup victory since 2020. This match saw Scotland aiming for unprecedented success against their long-time rivals, striving for their fifth consecutive win over England. Both teams entered the game following mixed results—Scotland having lost to Ireland, and England winning a close match against France.
Scotland kicked off the match with aggressive play, showcasing their talent right from the start. Early on, scrum-half Ben White scored the first try, giving Scotland the lead. Huw Jones quickly followed up with another, creating considerable momentum for the Scots. Duhan van der Merwe, known for his spectacular abilities, also added to the score by crossing the line late in the match, making it appear hopeful for Scotland.
Yet, England’s response was swift. Tommy Freeman, who was instrumental for the host team, scored England’s first try shortly after White’s, bringing the score to 5-7. By halftime, Scotland held a slim lead of 10-7, which reflected their superior first-half performance. Still, this success raised questions about whether they had capitalized enough on their chances.
After the break, the tide began to shift. England capitalized on their home advantage and displayed admirable resilience. Marcus Smith, with his two conversions and penalties, took the lead for England and put them up 16-10. Scotland, meanwhile, struggled to maintain their rhythm and energy, as they had prior to the second half.
The crescendo came as Scotland mounted one last attack, culminating with Van der Merwe’s try. While it seemed they might clinch victory, Finn Russell's struggle with the boot became painfully evident. He missed all three conversion attempts, including the one at the death which could have steered Scotland to victory. This missed opportunity effectively sealed their fate and ended Scotland’s hopes for the Six Nations title.
Steve Borthwick, England's head coach, praised the performance of his young team, acknowledging Scotland's strategic play. "Every game is important for England and you have to give Scotland credit as they played a real smart game," he said. Both teams displayed resilience, but England's capability to bounce back was decisive.
Conversely, Gregor Townsend, Scotland's head coach, reflected on the disappointment. He noted the prowess of his squad, stating, "I’m proud of how we played today. Our execution was very good—and we created opportunities. We scored three tries and will look back and think we could have scored more," emphasizing the potential for future matches.
Despite the loss, Townsend remained optimistic about Scotland's prospects, highlighting the need to build on this performance as they face Wales next at Murrayfield on March 8. He recognized their ability to generate scoring opportunities but also acknowledged the tenacious defense they faced from England. The defeat brings up the reality of the championship battle they now face.
England, buoyed by this victory, gears up for their next challenge against Italy, still vying for the championship itself. The ripple effects of this historic rivalry continue, as both teams are set to chase their ambitions amid the test of the Six Nations. The dramatic nature of this match and the feedback from both coaches suggests we are only beginning to see how this tournament could play out.