Scotland’s frustration continues as they once again dazzled with their attacking brilliance but fell short when it mattered most. Their long-awaited moment seemed within reach, only to slip away in a manner that has become all too familiar. Despite dominating large portions of the match and thrilling spectators with their pace and creativity, they were ultimately overpowered and outmuscled when it counted.
Their attacking flair was undeniable. Time and again, Scotland tore through England’s defensive lines, forcing their opponents into a staggering number of tackles. The likes of Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn were electric, slicing through space with ease. England, oddly, seemed to invite the danger, repeatedly kicking the ball to Scotland’s lethal back three. The visitors gladly accepted, punishing them with swift counters and breathtaking offloads.
The first try encapsulated Scotland’s attacking prowess. Kinghorn soared through the air to claim a high ball before setting van der Merwe free. The winger’s powerful break opened space for Huw Jones, who in turn released Tom Jordan down the left. His perfectly timed inside pass found Ben White, who finished a sublime move. Soon after, Scotland struck again. Kyle Rowe burst into the line from a set piece, Kinghorn weaved his magic, and van der Merwe powered forward before Jones applied the finishing touch.
At that stage, Scotland were rampant. England were chasing shadows, unable to contain the relentless waves of attack. But crucially, the scoreboard did not reflect their dominance. A mere three-point lead at halftime felt frustratingly inadequate given their superiority.
Then came the shift. The second half saw England tighten their grip, using their pack to grind Scotland down. The scrum battle tilted decisively in England’s favor, drawing a series of penalties that allowed them to wrestle control of the game. As Scotland’s indiscipline grew, England capitalized. A string of successful kicks saw them edge ahead, and suddenly, Scotland were chasing.
Finn Russell had one golden chance to put daylight between the teams when he found space in the third quarter. Looping cleverly around Jamie Ritchie and selling a dummy to Henry Slade, he looked set to send van der Merwe over for another score. But the final pass never came, as Slade’s desperate tackle brought him to ground just before he could offload.
As the clock ticked down, Scotland’s frustration grew. Every breakdown seemed to result in a penalty against them, while England’s pack continued to apply pressure. With just over 10 minutes to play, two penalties from England’s Marcus Smith gave them a decisive lead.
Yet, Scotland weren’t done. With time running out, Stafford MacDowall sliced through England’s midfield and surged towards the try line. A quick pass from Russell sent van der Merwe over for what could have been the match-winning score. But the conversion, from the left touchline, drifted agonizingly wide.
Russell’s missed kicks were the difference, but this loss was about more than just goal-kicking. Scotland played the more attractive rugby, but rugby is won with more than just flair. They had the firepower out wide but lacked the sheer force to dominate up front. Once again, they entertained, thrilled, and captured the imagination yet once again, they left with nothing tangible to show for it.
