After decades in the shadow of England when it came to the Calcutta Cup, a landmark fourth successive Scotland win in 2024 has seen the boot move firmly to the other foot. While the Scots are still working on the consistency needed to challenge Ireland for a maiden Six Nations title, head coach Gregor Townsend can take comfort in how he’s masterminded four consecutive wins over the Auld Enemy. Murrayfield Witnesses Landmark Success A 30-21 victory over England on February 24th not only saw Scotland respond from the disappointment of their controversial defeat at the hands of France but saw the Scots earn a fourth consecutive win over the English in the championship for the first time since the 1890s. Scotland, who are 50/1 in the sports betting to win the next World Cup in 2027, responded well from going 10 points behind to secure what, in the end, was a comprehensive win in Edinburgh. Many sports betting guides had the Scots as pre-game favourites against an England side that had won their opening two games of the Six Nations against Italy and Wales. A trip to Murrayfield was always going to be their first real test of this year’s competition, but for a fourth consecutive season, the Red Rose were on the wrong side of the scoreline. Not only was it the result, but it was the manner of the performance that will have pleased head coach Townsend. That’s not to say Scotland were anywhere near their best on the day, but even when failing to hit top gear, they still had enough to secure a nine-point victory over Steve Borthwick’s side. Winger Duhan van der Merwe was the star of the show with a superb hat-trick, while fly-half Finn Russell produced the moments of magic that have become synonymous with Calcutta Cup in recent years. A 2024 Grand Slam might have slipped through Scotland’s hands against the French, but a response in the Calcutta Cup was the perfect remedy for fans north of the border. 2018 The Turning Point Looking back at the shift of power in the oldest rivalry in international rugby, there’s no doubt something changed on February 24th 2018. England headed to Murrayfield that day looking to make it seven wins on the bounce against Scotland, having beaten the men in blue 61-21 the previous year at Twickenham. However, a Russell-inspired Scotland produced one of their best performances in an age to earn a 25-13 victory at Murrayfield. That result in Edinburgh looked like it was a flash in the pan when Scotland trailed England by 31 points a year later at Twickenham. Blown off the park going into half-time, the Scots produced one of the great comebacks to see the game eventually finish 38-38 to retain the Calcutta Cup. England managed to grind out a 13-6 win in the wind and rain at Murrayfield the following year in 2020, but since then it’s been four consecutive Scotland wins. Beating rivals England used to be enough for Scotland as they struggled in the early decades to adapt to the professional era. However, Townsend’s side have become the dominant force when it comes to the Calcutta Cup, and now the focus is on even more significant silverware in the future.
