Scottish Rugby

Image source, SNS

Kenny Crawford, BBC Sport Scotland

Former Scotland fullback Hugo Southwell highlighted Scotland's problem-solving as the most impressive part of their Calcutta Cup win over England.

The Scots were 10-0 down after 20 minutes and struggling to unlock the English defence, until Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones produced some magic to set up Duhan van der Merwe's first try.

"It was a brilliant performance," Southwell said on Good Morning Scotland. "Having gone behind so early on, with that rush defence that everyone spoke about, the new era under the tutelage of Felix Jones - we couldn't cope with it. England looked like a different side.

"What is so impressive from this Scotland side is how they worked out how to beat it and they just found a way. That's something that's developed in this Scotland side since the World Cup.

"If you play rush defence, there's always going to be space out wide and you've got to be good enough to execute - which we haven't been up until now."

Southwell also previewed Scotland's next game against Italy in two weeks' time. A win could potentially set up a Six Nations-decider against Ireland in Dublin.

"We have to go to Italy and get a bonus point. It's still a banana skin. As much as we're playing well and should expect to get five points, Italy are improving week on week.

"We have to go there with a mindset that we will score four tries to give us an opportunity to go to Dublin and play for the Championship. England play Ireland at Twickenham in two weeks time - it's probably the first and only time we want England to win a game."

What a win for Scotland! We asked for your views on Saturday's Calcutta Cup win against England. Here's a flavour of what you had to say...

Alastair: Fantastic atmosphere from pre-match to the great end result. The team looked confused by England's blitz defence initially, putting pressure on Finn Russell, but worked it out eventually.

Under that challenge, starting Cameron Redpath who knows Finn Russell’s plays would have been better. Italy away will be no easy game. Get a result, then Irish game will be a cracker.

David: It was a pretty strange game. All the tries from both teams came out of nowhere, apart from maybe England's first which was really well worked. Lots of handling errors from both sides. A few bits of magic from Duhan van der Merwe separated the sides, although I think Scotland were in control of the game and I never felt England would win. Delighted with the win.

Gordon: Great win! First 20 minutes weren't great but they managed to work out how to overcome the blitz defence, which is good progress. Think Jack Dempsey should have got player of the match, as he probably had his best game in a blue shirt. The two replacement props showed their mettle and put the media critics in their place. Need to back this up now in Rome.

Peter: Shows what can happen when the TMO gets decisions right.

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Petrie, BBC Sport Scotland

Round 12 of the PWR kicked off with Bristol Bears hosting Lougborough Lightning at Ashton Gate, and there was plenty of Scottish talent show.

Lana Skeldon's double - her fifth and sixth tries of the season - helped the hosts to a 33-17 victory, with Meryl Smith, Meg Varley, Elliann Clarke and Evie Gallagher also in the winning XV in front of a 3,000 strong crowd.

"There's five of us in the team now which is nice, it makes it feel more like home when we're so far away," Gallagher said of the Scottish contingent in Bristol, talking to Bears' social media after the match. "We're all loving it, being in each other's company and playing with each other week in, week out is so fun."

There were three Scots in the losing side, which was captained by Rachel Malcolm. Christine Belisle packed down at tighthead, with Helen Nelson in at fullback.

Another Scottish hooker was on the scoreboard as Leicester Tigers lost to Trailfinders, down the other end of the league.

Elis Martin dotted down for the Tigers, lining up alongside her usual front-row colleagues Leah Bartlett and Lisa Cockburn. Francesca McGhie took her spot on the wing, while Eva Donaldson came off the bench.

Exeter Chiefs were held to a draw by Harlequins, with Mairi McDonald and Eilidh Sinclair on the bench for the hosts. Sarah Bonar started for the Quins, in the 88-minute affair.

Finally, Caity Mattinson's Gloucester-Hartpury continued their unbeaten run as they battered bottom-of-the-table Sale Sharks. The scrum-half came off the bench in this big win.

Hooker Molly Wright continued her recovery from injury, starting for the beaten hosts, while Anne Young came off the bench.

Image source, SNS

Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe made history by scoring the first ever hat-trick in a Calcutta Cup against England - but he has his sights on another record.

Van der Merwe is now one ahead of fellow winger Darcy Graham and within one try of Stuart Hogg's scoring record and admits he set himself a target to break it.

"It’s something I targeted coming into the tournament to see if I could do it in the Six Nations," Van der Merwe said. "I knew it was a big task, obviously still two games left but most importantly it’s all about the team. It’s not about myself, it's about the team and us getting the win.

"It’s obviously very special scoring a hat-trick for Scotland, even more so against England. First hat-trick I think in a Calcutta Cup as well. There’s obviously something about this fixture, I love scoring against England.

"We are still in the mix, the next two games are massive for us, you never know what can happen. We want to start winning stuff as a team.

"It [recent wins against England] just shows what can be done and where this team is going. We’re getting better with each game we’re playing, it’s obviously a special day for the team and we’ll enjoy a couple of beers tonight.

"We are always looking to improve and get better. We got the win but we definitely left some opportunities out there so we will have some down time and be back in on Tuesday and look at the opportunities we missed out on."

Gregor Townsend warns against "trust in technology that has not been proven" after Zander Fagerson departed the field when his smart mouthguard signalled he was at risk of a head injury in Scotland's Calcutta Cup win.

Image source, SNS

Cameron Redpath says he has hopes of starting regularly for Scotland after making a mark off the bench in his side's Calcutta Cup victory over England.

The Bath inside-centre has made 11 appearances for his country, but only three have come from the off.

After his surging run paved the way for Duhan van der Merwe's third try of the afternoon at Murrayfield, Redpath is eyeing a more consistent place in Gregor Townsend's team.

"It’s a goal of mine that I want to achieve," he said. "I want to be starting for Scotland but ye’ve got some brilliant centres at the minute and it’s always going to be tough when they’ve got a partnership like that.

"Sione [Tuipulotu] put Huw [Jones] through and then Duhan [van der Merwe] finished it off, so it’s a good thing to have.

"For me it was always a case of be ready whenever you get the chance. Obviously whether it’s the first minute or the 80th minute, you never know when you’re going to come on. You've just got to be ready for everything.

"I always want to be in the big games. I want to put on my best performance and show people what I can do. At this stage for me, I know a lot of the boys and play with a lot of them so it’s always a good game.

"It’s just another game for me though. You can’t let the occasion get to you, it is cool though to have my first Calcutta cup with crowds. Obviously my debut was without crowds and then I had injuries on and off so it’s nice to have this tonight."

Andy Burke is joined by Gregor Townsend, Peter Wright, Andy Nicol and Duncan Weir to reflect upon Scotland's fourth consecutive Calcutta Cup win over England.

Listen here

Were you at Murrayfield to take in a fourth successive Calcutta Cup victory?

Whether you were celebrating from the ground or elsewhere, we want to hear from you. What did you make of the performance?

Let us know.

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend told BBC One: "You have to celebrate these moments, especially when you have a trophy in the dressing room.

"Duhan van der Merwe was great today. He saw the opportunities and went for it.

"I think the first try was really special in that we didn't have much ball, we weren't in England's half very often.

"The win is massive. It is a one-off, we were playing for the trophy today and to us that is very important.

"Now we can look to the next two games and see how we can improve.

"To show that resilience to come back and then score 30 points shows what this team is capable of. There is improvement to do and we want to get to the final week with an opportunity to still be in the championship."