Finn Russell's Kicking Woes Cost Scotland as England Snatch Calcutta Cup
Scotland fans will be feeling the sting after a heart-wrenching loss to England in the Six Nations, and at the center of it all is Finn Russell. The Scottish playmaker, usually a maestro with the boot, had a rare off-day, missing three crucial conversions that ultimately proved costly. England edged past Scotland 16-15 in a tense Calcutta Cup clash, a result that keeps them in the title race while all but ending Scotland’s championship hopes.
This was a game of fine margins. Scotland played some brilliant rugby, dominating key attacking stats—more possession, more line breaks, and a staggering 35 defenders beaten compared to England’s 10. But when it came down to the moments that really mattered, England found a way to grind out the win. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. Steve Borthwick’s side, fresh off a shock win against France, showed resilience in the face of Scottish pressure, winning key turnovers and capitalizing on small opportunities.
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The defining moment of the match came in the dying minutes. Duhan van der Merwe, Scotland’s rampaging winger, had already made his mark, setting up two tries before scoring one himself. With just minutes left, his try gave Scotland the chance to take the lead—if Finn Russell could land the conversion. The crowd held its breath. But it wasn’t to be. The ball drifted wide, and with it, Scotland’s hopes of a famous fifth consecutive Calcutta Cup win evaporated.
Russell’s struggles didn’t go unnoticed. His usual magic was missing, and those three missed kicks will haunt him. It’s brutal, but that’s international rugby. England, on the other hand, didn’t dominate the stats but took their chances when they came. Maro Itoje was immense at the breakdown, causing havoc and disrupting Scotland’s attacking flow. Fin Smith, in a defining moment, nailed a crucial long-range penalty to keep England’s noses in front.
It wasn’t the type of rugby that will make highlight reels, but England won’t care. They’ve found a way to close out tight matches—something they struggled with in the past. For Scotland, it’s another case of what might have been. They played some of the best rugby on the night, but they walk away with nothing.
For England, the Six Nations title race is still alive. For Scotland, it’s back to the drawing board. And for Finn Russell? He’ll be replaying those kicks in his mind for a long time to come.
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