Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup after a tense victory over England in the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations.
England had all of the momentum in the first half, playing most of the rugby in the right areas. However, Scotland went into the lead with the first try of the match.
With just under 20 minutes payed, Darcy Graham received the ball, broke into a half gap and set up debutant Ben White for the try. It was converted by Finn Russell, taking a four-point lead.
WHAT A TRY! 🤯
DARCY GRAHAM! ⚡️
TAKE A BOW! 🏴#SCOvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/fgD9GoLOqa— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 5, 2022
While the two sides traded penalties for the remainder of the half, it was Russell's boot that sent Scotland into half time maintaining that four-point lead.
🏴 10-6 🏴
First half highlights from Murrayfield! #SCOvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/oeH5rYWYxa— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 5, 2022
However that lead was short-lived. As he so often has been in the last two years, Marcus Smith made the difference for England to put them into a seven-point lead with less that 20 minutes to play.
MARCUS SMITH! 🌟
England's newest star puts them into the lead!#SCOvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/b60QxUxSm9— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 5, 2022
Then came the moment of biggest controversy. Former Scotland and Leinster coach Matt Williams, speaking on Virgin Media, suggested that England were 'robbed' as Scotland were awarded a penalty try.
Luke Cowan-Dickie was sent off for a deliberate knock-on into touch, with the referees deeming the situation would have lead to a try had it not been for the actions of the English hooker.
PENALTY TRY TO SCOTLAND! 🏴
Brilliant kick from Finn Russell!
Luke Cowan-Dickie deliberately played the ball out.
Penalty Try. Yellow Card. GAME ON!
🏴 17-17 🏴#SCOvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/CAZ5iqqawh— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 5, 2022
However, Williams believes that it was an incredibly harsh call, stating that 'a try would not have definitely been awarded' following the actions of Cowan-Dickie.
"He certainly looked like he didn't understand the laws of the game," Williams said. "However, I've got to say I've seen some dodgy penalty tries, and that's right up there.
"I'm not so certain that you could say a try was definitely going to be scored from that. Did the foul play stop a try from definitely being scored? I just don't think it fulfilled those requirements."
"Very very dumb play!
"However, I've seen some dodgy penalty tries and that's right up there."
Matt Williams on Luke Cowan-Dickie's foul which gave Scotland a penalty try.#SCOvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/AGQ0VkKKLK— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 5, 2022
Rob Kearney, who joined Williams in the post-match breakdown on Virgin Media, believed that Cowan-Dickie definitely cost his side the win.
"He'd done all the hard work," Kearney said. "He'd timed his jump into the air really well. He'd put his two hands up in the air, and then just decided to bat it into touch.
"It was absolutely crazy stuff. You are always loathed to put the blame on one person... but. He has cost his team this game."
Russell soon after put Scotland into a three-point lead, with nine minutes left in the game.
Huge kick from Finn Russell (just about)!
SCOTLAND LEAD!
🏴#SCOvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/egGlXxV5GF— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 5, 2022
The hosts managed to maintain their lead with some strong set piece performances.
THAT'S A MASSIVE LINEOUT STEAL! 🏴#SCOvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/RORRhB1HW7
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 5, 2022
In the end, it was a scrum which was reset several times that put Scotland over the line. A turnover from the subsequent English move fell into Scottish hands.
SCOTLAND HAVE DONE IT!
🏴 20-17 🏴
WHAT A RESULT! #SCOvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/AJTYZLBEzq— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 5, 2022
Stuart Hogg booted the ball dead to maintain the Calcutta Cup and keep their hopes of a Six Nations championship alive for 2022.
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