England have emerged from a toxic relationship
Rugby has been in ill health. Hunched and hurting, it has retched up all sorts of bile in recent months. Perhaps we are lucky that it is still alive. Even the malady-soothing Netflix documentary has been spat back across the room: rugby wheezing indignantly that anyone would want to force down such an obvious medicine. “But what if they share our secrets?” That’s exactly how F1, Tennis and, in a few weeks, Golf will be cashing in. And yet our sport suggests that tonic will never work for them; such piety has plagued the game forever: ‘It wouldn’t happen in rugby.’ Neither, it seems, will an enlightening fly-on-the-wall documentary that will bring the sport to millions of new fans.
Maybe the Calcutta Cup can go some way to providing a cure? Ignoring the uneasy history of the prize’s moniker, England and Scotland produced an encounter that, while not righting any wrongs, went some way to creating a pep in the step of rugby’s most excellent showpiece.
The home side are emerging from a toxic relationship. One in which they were gaslit into thinking they were something they are not. Only the foolhardy at Twickenham would expect an immediate and effective response from their team. This was the first time out with their new beau: still finding their way, getting used to each other’s social cues. And yes, their new man has a lot of similarities to the last one, crutches were present, but these are small steps. Maybe they can grow together, change together, cast off old foibles and bring out the best in each other. There was plenty to suggest they could.
England’s first try was an indicator. Marcus Smith took the ball to the line and having been provided with multiple options, chose the snazziest. A deft cross-field kick that was gathered and dotted down in adroit fashion by Max Malins. The Saracen winger seemed to embody a new dawn the best. He ran with more belief than Ollie Hassell-Collins, varnished and pristine on the other wing. Not that the Exile was quiet, he clocked up some metres, but Malins appeared to be enjoying himself. Hopefully, that will come for ‘OHC’.
England’s first try was a response to going behind. Scotland had carved a fine hole in the outside centre channel and then reworked the ball onto the boot of Sione Tuipulotu; Huw Jones, who has previous with England, had time to allow the ball to sit up for him, so perfect was the grubber. Five years ago, Murrayfield had parted sumptuously for the former Harlequin, but now, back in a familiar postcode, Jones was all pouncing and smiles as Scotland designed a tidy opening score.
But if the opening salvo from Scotland was syllabically pleasing, the rhythm of the second stanza was resounding. Van Der Merwe on the dance floor; you could not stop the groove: Duhan, do you know just how good that was?
Only standing next to DvdM proves how big he is, not that England had time to measure themselves. He was past two before his gait had lengthened. His strength and speed made the opposition look ragged and incompetent. Defenders sought him low, Dombrandt sought him high; this was a score of its own dedicated fashion: as individualistic as it was brilliant.
But England and Malins had a second before the half was out. A subtle yet telling cameo from the impressive Lewis Ludlam. He had to draw one and put the winger away: many times attempted, often butchered, the blindside timed his pass to perfection to give England a half-time lead.
They extended it early in the second as Ellis Genge’s goal line plunge was too much for Scotland’s resolute defence. Ollie Chessum on debut was proving a man fit for international duty all around the park and England could have forged ahead from there. But too many fissures were present. One such crack Ben White exploited and jinked his way through, bringing Scotland back to within a score.
The final quarter was an enthralling denouement. Farrell had hounded Finn all game. Left a few late shots on the midriff and despite not bringing his kicking boots, showed that tackle school was kinda working. But mastery is sometimes about riding out a storm; knowing that if you keep your head, your wind will blow. Inside the last ten minutes, for the deciding move, Russell’s eminence bore its teeth. The ball worked from one wing to the other; two perfectly feathered Finn passes stitched the move together: the first looped to find Kyle Steyn, and the second beckoned Fraser Brown forward. Richie Gray’s quick hands helped manufacture Duhan’s brace but the time and space had been purchased by the gifted fly-half. Scotland’s winning try was as good as any the contest had seen.
The whistle came as captain Jamie Ritchie cribbed at a ruck, like so many of his colleagues before. Another England attack foiled and with it the ultimate prize. A win at Twickenham, three in three years, and a three handled trophy retained.
There are questions for both sides. How Scotland can use this performance to push them through the remainder of the tournament is one. The others belong to England. Namely around 8, 9, 10 and 12. If answers can be found, the rest of tournament will get better and October’s looming gathering appears less daunting. On this showing, England’s indisposition could be lifting.
Comments on RugbyPass
9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to comments