England survive Scottish onslaught as Finn Russell's missed kicks prove costly

The visitors dominated the opening hour of the game but they found themselves just 10-7 ahead thanks to tries from Ben White and Huw Jones.

England's only response came via Tommy Freeman but it was enough to keep them in the contest as the Scots' profligacy harmed them.

The Red Rose would duly take advantage despite their pretty abysmal display with Marcus Smith kicking two three-pointers and Fin Smith adding one of his own which would confirm the win.

That was despite a remarkable ending to the match as Scotland manufactured a brilliantly worked try for Duhan van der Merwe.

It left Russell with a conversion out wide to win it but, like his other two efforts, it drifted wide of the uprights as Scotland failed to go five in a row against England.

Irrespective of what Scotland have done or what they go on to do, they always bring the performance against England and by and large they did so again on Saturday.

Considering how poor they were against Ireland and for large parts of their game with Italy, logic dictated that Gregor Townsend's men would struggle at Twickenham, but they were excellent in the first half.

England's defence certainly helped as their narrowness and passiveness enabled Russell, Tom Jordan and Blair Kinghorn to pick them off.

Scotland spread the ball wide with regularity and, as a result, that man Van der Merwe once again thrived.

The gargantuan wing was hugely influential for the first score as his off-load, combined with good hands from Kinghorn, sent Jordan free. Although the centre still had plenty to do, he sent a beautiful pass inside for White to finish.

England did hit back as a spell of pressure resulted in Freeman crossing the whitewash, but the visitors were by far the better side.

Every time they had the ball in opposition territory they looked like creating something, which rather meant their two-try return in the opening half would have probably disappointed head coach Gregor Townsend.

Jones would get their second after more superb work from Van der Merwe, but they would fail to add to that for the next 60 minutes.

In fact, the Scots could have gone into the break behind had Ollie Lawrence got his off-load right having initially sent Marcus Smith clear.

Smith took play to within five metres before the centre got his hands on the ball for the second time, but his attempted pass went straight into touch to end the half.

Quite frankly, England were fortunate to only be three points behind at the break but they didn't seem to heed the warning as Scotland continued to control matters in the second period.

Townsend's outfit were comfortable against this English team but they almost became too relaxed as they failed to add to the scoreboard.

As a result, it enabled the hosts to edge their way into the contest and when the Scots conceded a penalty, Marcus Smith levelled matters off the tee.

All of a sudden, the visitors started to make errors and the Red Rose capitalised, with the two Smiths kicking a penalty apiece to take them 16-10 ahead.

That looked to have sealed the win for England, but there was a dramatic conclusion when Scotland manufactured another brilliant try.

Stafford McDowall scythed through the middle and the ball was sent out wide for Van der Merwe to finish. It left Russell with a difficult conversion and for the third time in the game he missed to hand England the win and the Calcutta Cup.

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