Scotland 31-20 England: Gregor Townsend reclaims the Calcutta Cup in a Murrayfield thriller

Scotland promised a big performance and they provided an intensity, precision and ruthlessness that was completely absent from Roma.

They were absolutely lethal in the opening minutes, with Russell sending them on their way with an early penalty taken from tough, direct rugby that England could not live with.

Another Scottish explosion within 10 minutes saw Arundel’s first booking and proved very damaging for England. While the winger was away, Scotland did not play a half and Russell was in complete genius mode at the heart of the game.

Having broken down England’s defence, Russell finished them off, beating the attack – Tom Roebuck sold himself into the middle of it – with a brilliant one-handed flick over Jones who raced around Maro Itoje to score.

They made the fly-half make it 10-0 and it was the promised Scottish response to Roma visiting England. And there was more. Part of their problems in Rome was their lack of ruthlessness. Here, they fixed the problem.

On their next visit to the England 22, they made the most of their chances once again, breaking out of the defense with speed and a top-notch skillset. Sione Tuipulotu sent a long pass to Ritchie, standing free on the left wing, and he scored blindside with aplomb.

Russell made it 17-0 just 14 minutes into the game. Breathless and wonderful. England, the favourites, were losing. Arundel’s yellow cost them 14 points.

They finally had some joy. Their rally, absolutely dominant, was key and the big runners took them deep into the Scotland 22. The resistance held out, but only for so long. Ford’s lovely late pass sent Arundel inside. Almost half of the wing.

Ford reduced the deficit to seven points soon after as England threatened to build a header of strength. Their break was dismantled in quick order when Scotland registered their third score.

It was Russell’s brilliant invention that reignited his spark, as the fly-half raced down the short side, past Jay Pepper and Sam Underhill and receiving a kick as he fell.

Ellis Genge was in the backfield and appeared to have control of the situation but slipped and let the ball drop. White went at it like a shot and landed for a smash and clinch much to England’s disgust. Russell added the extras – a 14-point game now.

Arundel’s disaster came just before the end of the pulsating half when Steyn was taken out into the air. Second yellow and now red for 20 minutes. England was in deep trouble.

Their huge advantage brought them three more points early in the second half, which began without Ritchie from Sam Underhill’s side. They are both injured. Fagerson and Tom Curry came in and away we went.

The only area that pleased England was the crowd and their muscle on a free kick saw Ford close the gap early in the second half. These were moments when Scotland had to dig deep.

England were on top but the Scottish defense held firm. What’s more, they frustrated England. He went nowhere in the home team’s 22. Ford elected to take an easy hat-trick with a drop goal in front of the goal posts.

It backfired. Fagerson came out like a bullet from a gun and attacked the kick, then picked up the loose ball and fed Jones who raced away with Scottish delirium ringing in his ears all the way.

Russell slammed the conversion and, incredibly, the underdogs were 18 points ahead with a bonus point in the bank.

England emptied their bench, bringing on any amount of heavy hitters, but only managed a late, late effort to Earl, which was converted by Ford. Scotland’s lead was 11 – and to the absolute ecstasy of the home fans, it stayed that way.