Scotland edge out England after Luke Cowan-Dickie’s blunder

The Six Nations is rarely short of dramatic finishes and, from Scotland’s perspective, this latest one will rank right up there. For the first time in 38 years the Scots have registered back-to-back championship wins over the auld enemy and the tense, nerve-tingling manner of this narrow triumph made it all the sweeter for the hosts on a damp, cold Edinburgh evening.

As a contest it was often a slow burner but the big final quarter plot twist will haunt England for a while. Finn Russell’s second penalty with eight minutes left technically applied the killer blow but ultimately it was the desperate flapping hands of Luke Cowan-Dickie that did for the visitors. Referee Ben O’Keeffe correctly ruled the England hooker, in trying to stop a Russell cross-kick from reaching the lurking Darcy Graham in the right corner, deliberately knocked the ball out of play and the resultant penalty try and yellow card tipped the balance of the entire game.

Having previously led 17-10, a depleted England were left to cling on with 14 men and Russell duly stuck a final dagger through their hearts. The visiting what ifs were compounded by the decision to substitute Marcus Smith with 17 minutes left despite the fact the Harlequins fly-half had scored all of his side’s points and was looking in control of pretty much everything he surveyed.

Neither team, to be honest, looked much like champions elect but the conditions hardly helped. Maybe one day this fixture will take place in dappled spring sunshine with only a gentle breeze lazily ruffling the flags. Dream on. While the elements had eased by kick-off, it was still damp and slippery enough to make ball handling a risky business. At least England knew what to expect from sodden past