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Scotland ended their 38-year wait for a victory at Twickenham with an impressive 11-6 success over the reigning champions England in teams’ Six nations opening on Saturday.
Visiting winger Duhan van der Merwe scored the only try of his first away win in the tie since 1983 and only a fifth Twickenham win over England in their history as Scotland dominated in all areas.
Van der Merwe’s scoring finally proved the difference between the sides in a closed-door match where the hosts paid dearly for their indiscipline, despite both local captain Owen Farrell and opposing midfielder Finn Russell kicking two penalties each .
“It’s unbelievable for us, we believed in each other and one man deserved it,” Scotland captain Stuart Hogg, whose long-distance kicks kept England trapped deep inside their own half, told ITV Sport. a second rain-lashed period.
“We got excited during the week that we knew we could put in a performance. If we did everything right, we had a chance to win.
“We stood our ground defensively, and that was the win of the game.”
Meanwhile, Farrell said: “First of all a big credit to Scotland, for the way they played … We didn’t get a proper foothold in the game.”
The visiting team dominated territory and possession in the first half, but only led 8-6 at halftime before Russell’s second penalty proved to be the only marker after half time.
Before kick-off there was a minute of applause in memory of several England internationals who had died in recent months, including former captain John Pullin.
England, with British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland watching from the nearly empty stands, almost had an early scoring when blocking Maro Itoje attacked Scottish scrum half Ali Price’s punt.
But England then infringed on the resulting ruck.
The hosts repeatedly found themselves on the wrong side of Irish referee Andrew Brace, conceding four penalties in the first five minutes.
When they were penalized in front of their posts, Russell, the inspiration behind a 31-9 comeback in a 38-38 draw at Twickenham two years ago, put Scotland into a 3-0 lead.
Their pressure saw England reduced to 14 men in the 24th minute when No. 8 Billy Vunipola was sent off for a high tackle on Russell.
Four minutes later, Scotland almost tried when Russell’s cross shot bounced too high for van der Merwe as the left winger appeared to land.
But in minute 30 the dominance of the visitors was rewarded.
After an England scrum missed injured prop Mako Vunipola and his front-line partner Joe Marler, who left the team for family reasons, were repeatedly put under stress near their own line, Russell’s cross shot was rejected by winger Sean Maitland.
The ball was worked across the field, with Redpath and Hogg involved before Turner found van der Merwe.
Russell went wide with the conversion, but Scotland still led 8-0.
Farrell cut the deficit with a long-range penalty and just before halftime it was Scotland, with Vunipola back on the field, who was one man down when a replay check saw Russell get a yellow card for tripping the scrum-half of England Ben Youngs.
Farrell took the penalty that followed and Scotland led by just two points at halftime.
But Hogg’s penalty for an attacking lineout close to the England line gave Scotland a good field position.
After several series, English mainstay Ellis Genge was penalized and Russell, having completed his 10-minute suspension, put Scotland ahead of 11-6.
However, fullback Hogg’s kicks kept England trapped in their own half in tough weather conditions.
With eight minutes to go, Hogg missed a penalty from within the England half, but Scotland failed to see a famous victory.
