Chiefs duo undone by the Scots

By Mark Stevens
24/2/18

Exeter Chiefs duo Jack Nowell and Harry Williams saw their Grand Slam hopes go up in smoke at BT Murrayfield where Scotland claimed their first Calcutta Cup in ten years with a stunning 25-13 victory against England.

Both Nowell and Williams came off the bench for the visitors in Edinburgh, but they could do nothing to prevent the Scots from claiming a memorable scalp in this season’s NatWest Six Nations Championship.

Scotland had not scored a try against England at Murrayfield in 14 years, but in the first half centre Huw Jones crossed twice and wing Sean Maitland once as the home side established a 22-6 lead.

England hit back through Owen Farrell's 44th minute try but that proved their last score as they were kept out by a combination of indiscipline and Scottish dominance of the breakdown.

It was only England's second defeat under head coach Eddie Jones in 26 Tests and their heaviest ever Calcutta Cup loss in the Six Nations Championship.

With Ireland beating Wales 37-27, England's bid to become the first team to win three titles in a row is hanging by a thread.

Afterwards Jones conceded England had been beaten by the better side. "Congratulations to Scotland," said Jones. "They were too good for us. Unfortunately we were not in the game in the first 40. Scotland played well. Full marks to Scotland.

"We knew what we were going to get but we didn't meet the challenge today for some reason. Second half I was very proud of the effort of the boys. We really stuck in there and won the second half."