England player ratings vs Scotland: Steve Borthwick’s men come from behind to win the Calcutta Cup at the Allianz Stadium.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
In a thrilling Six Nations encounter, England fly-half Fin Smith was the hero as he guided his team to a 16-15 win over Scotland at Twickenham, securing their first home victory against the Scots since 2017.
The 22-year-old, whose grandfather was a Scottish prop, delivered a masterclass after the break, helping to shut out the Scots in the second half. A crucial long-range penalty from Smith proved to be the match-winning moment, giving England the edge.
The game got off to a sizzling start with three tries in the opening quarter – Ben White and Huw Jones for Scotland, and Tommy Freeman for England – suggesting a high-scoring thriller was on the cards, reminiscent of the unforgettable 38-38 draw six years ago. But what followed was a tense arm-wrestle, with both teams battling for supremacy.
With less than a minute remaining, Duhan van der Merwe crossed for a try in the corner, putting Scotland on the brink of a stunning win. However, Finn Russell’s tricky conversion attempt sailed wide, leaving England with a hard-earned victory.
Scroll down for England player ratings vs Scotland.
England: 16
- Tries: Freeman (9)
- Conversions: Smith (9)
- Penalties: Smith (56,67), Smith (71)
Scotland: 15
- Tries: White (4), Jones (19), van der Merwe (78′)
- Conversions:
- Penalties:
England player ratings vs Scotland:
15. Marcus Smith 6
Opened his account from the tee with ease after a difficult day of kicking against France. Missed a tackle on Duhan van der Merwe in the build-up to Huw Jones’ try, as the wing offloaded the ball to the try-scoring centre. Knocked on a high ball at 28 minutes under plenty of pressure from the Scots. Sliced a 28th-minute clearance kick, met with jeers and whistles from Scotland fans. Made a blistering break off the back of Ollie Lawrence’s crash-ball carry. Led England off the tee with some important penalties sent through the sticks.
14. Tommy Freeman – 8
Opened England’s try-scoring account as his side responded to Scotland’s hot start. Exploded onto the ball with a full head of steam and powered past Finn Russell’s tackle attempt to score. Chased high balls well, making a series of strong tackles after Mitchell and Smith sent the ball skyward. Brilliant box-kick chase led to a crunching 48th-minute hit on Van der Merwe.
13. Ollie Lawrence – 8.5
Drove to the line effectively, drawing plenty of attention as the sole change to Borthwick’s squad this week. A thunderous 30th-minute hit on Jamie Ritchie echoed around the Allianz, marking England’s biggest tackle of the first half. Executed an excellent counter-ruck at 36 minutes after tackling Kinghorn. Made a brilliant carry in the final play of the first half before releasing Marcus Smith in support. However, his offload in the following phase failed to find Sleightholme out wide. A solid shift from the Bath centre.
12. Henry Slade 7.5
Early test of Scotland defence with grubber into back-field off first attack. Nice kicking to touch, yet slipped off a couple of first up tackles. An noteable miss on van der Merwe, just seconds after his midfield partner Ollie Lawrence had flattened Ritchie. Great turnover at 37 minutes, with England winning possession from 3m out of danger. Lawrence could not keep hold of his 43rd minute offload, which was a fine pass from the Exeter man. Knocked the ball on in contact at 52 minutes, as England forged a dangerous looking drive. Great awareness to make a 59th minute tackle on Finn Russell, after initially turning his back to the Scotland fly half.
11. Ollie Sleightholme 6
Good drives to the line, plenty of focus upon him as the sole change to Borthwick’s squad this week. A thunderous 30th minute hit on Jamie Ritchie sent echoes around the Allianz, in what was England’s best hit of the first half. Excellent counterruck at 36 minutes, after making a hit on Kinghorn. Brilliant carry in the last play of the first half, before unleashing Marcus Smith in support. The following phase’s offload failed to find Sleightholme out wide, in what was a solid shift from the Bath centre.
10. Fin Smith 8
Nice link play with Alex Mitchell, as the Northampton pairing led England’s attack. Put his body on the line against Scotland’s crunching crash ball carriers, in what was a bruising defensive effort. A heart-stopping hit on Huw Jones at 35 minutes, with the Scotland man sent hard to the deck, as Smith stood tall. A great hit on Tom Jordan to excite the fans, as England then isolated the Scot and won a turnover at thr 50 minute mark. A thunderous penalty from half way gave England a nice cushion into the last 10 minutes.
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
The post England player ratings vs Scotland: 2025 Six Nations appeared first on Ruck.
