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Scotland's Calcutta Cup magic
What is it about the Calcutta Cup that elevates Scotland to such lofty heights?
The chat from the likes of ex-England international Courtney Lawes in the build-up was how Scotland only get up for playing their oldest rivals, but getting up for it only takes you so far.
Scotland produce an accuracy, creativity and intelligence to their play in these games that England struggle to handle.
Pin sharp in attack and towering in defence, the Scots showed the best of themselves just when they needed it most.
Finn lights it up against England… again!
Is there a more glorious sight in rugby that Finn Russell in the sort of mood he was against England?
It's a fixture the magician has left his prints all over these past few years. In 2018 we saw "The Pass of the Century" and on Saturday we saw "The Flick of the Century" to set-up Huw Jones for his first try.
That was the flash stuff, but it was Russell's exceptional rugby mind that was the difference as he orchestrated the Scotland attack to devastating effect.
Kyle Steyn was a deserving player of the match after a magnificent display from the Glasgow captain, but Russell was central to another epic Calcutta Cup victory.
Townsend's masterplan
Gregor Townsend was knocked from pillar to post by fans and media alike in the wake of Scotland's round one defeat to Italy in Rome.
As he took the flak for that flat Scottish performance at the Stadio Olimpico, so the head coach should take the credit for a game plan to pick England apart that was executed to perfection.
Scotland played the smarter rugby, won the aerial battle, disrupted England at the breakdown, and despite a scrum that was leaking penalties, they always found a way to wrestle the momentum back in their favour.
Many of Townsend's selections were questioned – sticking with the same back three that struggled in Rome, again leaving Blair Kinghorn out the 23, going with a 5/3 bench against England's 6/2 – but all his big calls paid off.
Five Calcutta Cups in six years is a truly astonishing record, and now Townsend needs his side to back it up against Wales in Cardiff next weekend.
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What is it about the Calcutta Cup that elevates Scotland to such lofty heights?
The chat from the likes of ex-England international Courtney Lawes in the build-up was how Scotland only get up for playing their oldest rivals, but getting up for it only takes you so far.
Scotland produce an accuracy, creativity and intelligence to their play in these games that England struggle to handle.
Pin sharp in attack and towering in defence, the Scots showed the best of themselves just when they needed it most.
Finn lights it up against England… again!
Is there a more glorious sight in rugby that Finn Russell in the sort of mood he was against England?
It's a fixture the magician has left his prints all over these past few years. In 2018 we saw "The Pass of the Century" and on Saturday we saw "The Flick of the Century" to set-up Huw Jones for his first try.
That was the flash stuff, but it was Russell's exceptional rugby mind that was the difference as he orchestrated the Scotland attack to devastating effect.
Kyle Steyn was a deserving player of the match after a magnificent display from the Glasgow captain, but Russell was central to another epic Calcutta Cup victory.
Townsend's masterplan
Gregor Townsend was knocked from pillar to post by fans and media alike in the wake of Scotland's round one defeat to Italy in Rome.
As he took the flak for that flat Scottish performance at the Stadio Olimpico, so the head coach should take the credit for a game plan to pick England apart that was executed to perfection.
Scotland played the smarter rugby, won the aerial battle, disrupted England at the breakdown, and despite a scrum that was leaking penalties, they always found a way to wrestle the momentum back in their favour.
Many of Townsend's selections were questioned – sticking with the same back three that struggled in Rome, again leaving Blair Kinghorn out the 23, going with a 5/3 bench against England's 6/2 – but all his big calls paid off.
Five Calcutta Cups in six years is a truly astonishing record, and now Townsend needs his side to back it up against Wales in Cardiff next weekend.
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