Duhan van der Merwe stars as Scotland snatch Six Nations win over England

Duhan van der Merwe ensured Steve Borthwick's England reign was launched with an agonising defeat after the Scotland wing crossed twice in a Calcutta Cup classic at Twickenham.

Van der Merwe plundered his decisive second try in the 74th minute as Scotland came from behind to record a dramatic victory in their Guinness Six Nations opener.

The marauding British and Irish Lions wing had already brought Twickenham to its feet with a stunning first-half score that began in his own half and saw five would-be tacklers beaten by his speed, strength and footwork.

Scotland win the Calcultta Cup! Duhan van der Merwe's late try secures a 29-23 win over England. Watch match reaction on @rte2 and the @rteplayer. pic.twitter.com/mN7qULVesW

While a magnificent solo score, it exposed a failing in England’s defence that was a recurring theme in the afternoon’s main indicator of a team playing under a new regime for the first time.

But overall it was a promising start to the Borthwick era as they performed with the speed and purpose that was missing in the latter stages of Eddie Jones' time in charge, before running out of steam in the closing stages.

Max Malins crossed twice and Ellis Genge touched down for England in a seven-try thriller that saw irrepressible Scotland rewarded for refusing to give up.

England were booed from the pitch after a limp defeat by South Africa in their last appearance, the climax to a dire 2022 that resulted in Jones being sacked, but this seven-try thriller was very different.

Watch live coverage of England v Scotland on @rte2 and @rteplayer pic.twitter.com/sDr2KRVKzT

They had won only one of the last five Calcutta Cup matches and the early omens signposted that run continuing when Huw Jones touched down Sione