Scotland Stuns England: A Valentine’s Day Heartbreak at Murrayfield
Murrayfield witnessed a dominant performance by Scotland on Thursday, February 14th, 2026, as they defeated England 31-20 in a thrilling Six Nations clash. The victory not only reclaims the Calcutta Cup for Scotland but as well throws the championship title race wide open.
Early Scottish Dominance and English Discipline Issues
Scotland started with immediate intent, capitalizing on an early English infringement with a penalty converted by Finn Russell. The game quickly turned sour for England as Henry Arundell received a yellow card for ill-discipline at the breakdown. Scotland swiftly exploited the numerical advantage, with Huw Jones and Jamie Ritchie both crossing for tries, Russell adding the conversions to establish a commanding 17-point lead.
England’s Fightback and a Costly Second Yellow
England demonstrated resilience, mounting a comeback spearheaded by a strong lineout and maul. Henry Arundell, returning from the sin bin, touched down a try, and George Ford added the conversion and a subsequent penalty, narrowing the gap to seven points. Although, Scotland responded emphatically with a try from Ben White, extending their lead once more.
Discipline continued to plague England, with Arundell receiving a second yellow card for a dangerous aerial challenge, leaving them with 14 men for a significant portion of the match. At halftime, statistics highlighted Scotland’s control, boasting more metres gained, carries, clean breaks, and defenders beaten.
Second Half Struggles and Scottish Control
Despite a penalty from Ford after the break, Scotland maintained control. Huw Jones secured his second try, and Russell’s continued accuracy from the tee pushed Scotland’s lead to 31-13. Late tries from Ben Earl offered England some consolation, but the damage was already done.
Russell’s Masterclass and England’s Errors
Finn Russell’s masterful performance was central to Scotland’s success, dictating play and consistently punishing English errors. England’s discipline and handling errors proved costly, allowing Scotland to build momentum and ultimately secure the victory. As Sky Sports noted, discipline was a key area where England faltered.
Looking Ahead for England
England will need to address their disciplinary issues and improve their accuracy when they face Ireland at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, February 21st, with a 14:10 GMT kickoff. Maro Itoje acknowledged the need for improvement, stating the team must “start our game well, with accuracy and precision.”
What This Means for the Six Nations
Scotland’s victory significantly alters the landscape of the 2026 Six Nations. The result marks England’s first loss since February 2025 and opens the door for other teams to challenge for the title. The tournament is shaping up to be a fiercely contested affair, with several teams capable of lifting the trophy.
Did you know?
This is Scotland’s first victory over England since 2021.
FAQ
Q: What was the final score of the match?
A: Scotland 31 – 20 England.
Q: Who was the key player for Scotland?
A: Finn Russell.
Q: When is England’s next match?
A: Saturday, February 21st against Ireland.
Q: How many yellow cards did England receive?
A: Two, both for Henry Arundell.
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