This week I have two highlights. At the weekend, the Six Nations started as Scotland and England locked horns in the Calcutta Cup.
A close up of the famous silverware (Credit- http://www.scotsman.com/ Ian Rutherford)
After a heart-breaking exit from the World Cup last year, Scotland were keen to prove they could continue their fantastic form from the tournament against the auld enemy as a packed Murrayfield belted out the national anthem.
Unfortunately though, the English were victorious.
After a horrendous World Cup campaign on their own soil little over four months ago, England opened up the Eddie Jones era with a narrow 9-15 victory over Scotland.
A category of errors proved to be Scotland’s downfall and as coach Vern Cotter put it, “That game was there to be won and that’s the hard, cold fact”.
Finn Russell charges at the England defence (Credit- http://www.zimbio.com)
In the first half both teams were pretty even. England scored a try and the subsequent conversion to gain an early lead courtesy of George Kruis and Owen Farrell respectively. Although, the Scots did manage to peg the score back to 7-6 before the halfway mark through the magical kicking ability of captain Greig Laidlaw from two penalties.
In my eyes the strength from the England bench helped them prevail as winners as Scotland failed to take advantage of a few good opportunities.
Jack Nowell sealed the opening round victory for England to make it 12-6 as he scrambled to get the ball over the line after a decent bit of play from Farrell.
Both nations then scored a penalty each. Reliable as always, Farrell and Laidlaw delivered the final points of the game.
Scotland must now wait until next year to regain the Calcutta Cup, having now endured an eight-year absence from lifting the historic trophy.
Thanks for reading,
Ewan.
Naearmbands 