Today's rugby headlines as England star publicly apologises amid laughing accusation and Scotland suffer blow for Wales match

Here are the latest rugby headlines on Sunday, February 6.

England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has issued a public apology after he conceded a vital penalty try and yellow card to help Scotland claim a 20-17 Six Nations victory.

England's most prolific carrier in the second Six Nations match of round one, he deliberately knocked the ball into touch, preventing Scotland winger Darcy Graham from getting on the end of a 66th-minute Finn Russell cross-kick near the try line as he looked certain to score.

England's 17-10 lead was wiped out and, a man down, fly-half Russell kicked a game-winning penalty for Scotland to retain the Calcutta Cup, although England had a succession of attacking scrums in overtime which they could not convert into points.

"Just want to apologise to all you supporters," the Exeter front-rower wrote on Saturday night. "I let myself and you guys down.

"Every time I play for my country I want nothing more than to make you guys proud. Thanks for all the support. Looking forward to bouncing back next week!"

When questioned by a Twitter user about why he was laughing as he exited the field, Cowan-Dickie responded: "Laughing at the ball boy giving me abuse. Didn’t want to say anything as my head was gone. Wasn’t laughing at what I did".

Former Ireland full-back Rob Kearney dubbed Cowan-Dickie's actions "absolutely crazy", telling Virgin Media Sport: "He’d done all the hard work, he got himself into the right position. He timed his jump into the air really well, got his two hands up in the air, and then just decided to bat it into touch. It was absolutely crazy stuff. We always loathe to put the blame on one person, but he has cost his team this game."

England head coach Eddie Jones did not share that opinion,