Scotland start quickly to stun England in pulsating Calcutta Cup battle

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The pre-match predictions that Scotland would need tries to unseat the tournament favourites were answered by three scores before the first half was up – two from centre Huw Jones and another from Sean Maitland, who will wear a broad smile next time he shows his face at his London club, Saracens, where six of this downed England 23 play. With just a solitary second-half score, a penalty by Finn Russell, the Scots had their highest points total against the old enemy since the Five Nations became Six in 2000, and a magnificent and thoroughly deserved first Calcutta Cup success since 2008. open image in gallery Huw Jones scored twice in the first half England have dropped just the one match in the Six Nations in six out of the last seven seasons – the exception being the Grand Slam in Eddie Jones’s first year as head coach, 2016 – and they will probably have to keep that record going to retain their title now. open image in gallery Scotland were 16 points up at half time Farrell’s second penalty, for Scottish offside ahead of a clearing kick, chipped into the lead at 10-6, and a knock-on by Russell disrupted an attack by England, for whom the returning No.8 Nathan Hughes had enjoyed one good initial rumble. open image in gallery England's Grand Slam hopes went up in flames in Edinburgh Scotland refused the kick after the Farrell offence and England thought they had found a way back in when Watson and Farrell hacked upfield for an apparent try only for it to be chalked off for Courtney Lawes batting the ball forward as he made a tackle on John Barclay.