Duhan van der Merwe is named Player of the Match after the final whistle.

Scotland come agonisingly close to an historic fifth win in a row against England.

Between the conceded penalty count (Scotland 13-10 England) and the handling errors count (Scotland 19-10 England), that may have been the difference.

In matches like this one, the margins are so fine.

England’s impacts off the bench made huge differences too, so we must credit that.

Scotland left everything on the field – their efforts cannot be faulted.

Full time: England 16 – 15 Scotland 

They win the lineout. A penalty would be great here.

Scotland drive about 10m but a tired pass sees Rowe collect but he’s picked up and taken over the touch line.

That’s it. The final whistle.

In the dying embers of this one, Scotland valiantly play it through the hands.

We have to be as patient as possible. England are out on their feet.

Side to side, and back and forward they go, looking for any gap. Under knock on advantage, the Scots push and push.

Now it’s a penalty advantage so they can be more expansive.

Play is pulled back for the penalty. It’s about 20m from the halfway line on Scotland’s side.

We’re into the 82nd minute of play and Russell spears a kick to the 40m line on the England side.

Ashman throws and it’s scrappy but comes out with a blue hand.

Scotland throw bodies into the line and Dobie finds Jordan, who finds McDowall charging through a gap. He gets all the way into the 22 where he’s brought down!

The ball goes wide left and into the hands of – YOU GUESSED IT – Duhan van der Merwe! HE SCORES FOR SCOTLAND in the corner!!!

The conversion is right on the touchline and Russell JUST pulls it. He’s missed.

(England 16 – 15 Scotland)

England throw near the Scottish 22 but win a penalty for England being offside – here is a chance.

Russell moves quickly and thumps it down towards England’s 22!

The ref has pulled play back for an adjudged shepherding call, where Ashman bumps an English player.

With three minutes remaining, Scotland needs a hero.

They’re just on the edge of the 22 now, getting it through the hands, looking for runners.

Fifteen phases now. With just on four minutes remaining. The ball is thrown left to Ashman, but he tries a reverse pass and it’s gone out of play. Big let off for England again.

Will Hurd is on for Zander Fagerson, he’s our final replacement of the night.

But it’s lost in the lineout and England’s replacement scrum half Randall clears, but it’s charged!

Zander Fagerson plays half back as it’s shoveled out. Jordan to Russell, onto Kinghorn, who slips in the pivotal moment, but it’s recycled.

Under penalty advantage, Scotland have loosened the reins, but it goes nowhere. They’ll go back for a chance to kick to the corner.

Russell takes his time and puts it about 10m out from the English line. Seven minutes left.

They point to the posts once more.

Fin Smith lines it up from right on about 49m out, straight in front.

He knocks it straight over the black dot. (England 16 – 10 Scotland)

Gregor Brown is coming on for Grant Gilchrist, and Jamie Bhatti is on for Pierre Schoeman.

First time for England to lead in this match and we have 12 minutes left.

England slow it down now with a mark from Marcus Smith. The nerves are jangling here as Scotland give away another penalty right on halfway.

Itoje points to the posts and Marcus Smith will line up for three more for England.

Fourteen minutes remain. He slots it. (England 13 – 10 Scotland)

Under penalty advantage, England rumble towards the line from the lineout.

Phases are stacking up but they are being repelled by a strong Scottish defence.

Fifteen minutes remain as the English are knocking on the door – jinking and shimmying their way through.

They come back now and the referee is warning Russell to control the team as the penalty count is rising. England have a penalty about 10m out from the line.

It’s deemed to be a penalty, but no more, thankfully.

So we’ll head back to the halfway line on the left hand side for a kick towards the corner for England.

Jamie Dobie and Stafford McDowall are coming on now for Jones and White.

We’re going upstairs for a potential head-on-head clash between Rowe and Chessum.

We’ll await to see the charge, or not, here.

The final quarter is upon us. England go to the sky and Kinghorn claims well.

It’s returned by White and it’s a bit too far. England counter in the midfield and string phases together, combining Smiths.

But it’s held onto, and Ritchie is getting all the plaudits for that one. Penalty to Scotland, but, in an ambitious attempt to get an extra few metres, England keep the ball in.

When they go to clear though, it’s shanked into touch. A bit of a let off there.

After a period of English possession, the referee pulls play back for an English infringement just outside the Scottish 22.

Sam Skinner is coming on for Jonny Gray.

Mitchell is coming off for Harry Randall.

Here come Scotland!

A charging run from the back of the lineout sees Russell dart and almost offload to van der Merwe. He goes to ground instead and maintains possession.

Ten phases now, and England have pushed them back to the edge of the 22. Itoje typifies the English spirit tonight and wins the turnover for his scrum half to clear their lines.

It feels like a matter of time before Scotland score.

This time England get it clear, after a clever grubber through from Rowe.

Daly does well to collect and set up for a clearance from Mitchell.

Fin Baxter is on for Ellis Genge.

From the restart, Mitchell goes to clear but he’s dragged it back into his 22 beforehand and it goes out on the full.

Scotland will have the throw from just inside England’s 22.

England have a penalty about 35m out, right in front. Earl went into contact and Ashman is pinged for not rolling away.

Marcus Smith points to the posts…

He slots it. That brings the home side level. (England 10 – 10 Scotland)

A hopeful English crossfield kick is eventually grabbed by van der Merwe, but he’s driven back into the 22.

Scotland nab it and flick it to Kinghorn, who gratefully thrashes the ball down to just outside the English 22.

A bullet dodged, somewhat.

Here come the first changes for Scotland. Ewan Ashman will come on for Dave Cherry; Matt Fagerson will replace Jack Dempsey.

Scotland hit back though in the form of a penalty in the midfield. The English are off their feet to stop Ritchie from grabbing the ball in the ruck, and Russell has the chance to thump the ball deep into English touch.

England win a penalty from the resulting scrum, right in front of their own posts.

Not driving straight is the call.

Fagerson, in contact from Itoje and another Englishman, just can’t quite stick the landing and drops the ball in the tackle.

Meanwhile, Cunningham-South is coming on for Tom Curry.

Sweeping side to side action from Scotland off the back of a midfield scrum.

Van der Merwe makes the most metres as the pop passes are flying, and sticking.

They’re inside the English 22 now and the recycling is fantastic. Big chances here.

England are bringing on George and Daly for Sleightholme and Cowan-Dickie. Early subs here.

England almost break through in a dangerous area there, with some brave running.

Earl runs it straight and it’s popped to Lawrence who would have been clean through had he picked up. Instead it’s a scrum feed to Scotland.

An up and under finishes up with Scotland claiming and ending up on the English 22 line.

They’re penalised though, for hands in the ruck. White is receiving some medical attention here too.

Kinghorn gets us underway again, and it’s straight down the throat of Mitchell, who collects and pumps it into touch on halfway.

England have a huge job to do if they are to turn this around.

Scotland are deserving leaders at the moment.

While we catch our breath from that hectic 40 minutes, let’s have a look at some stats.

Scotland gained 311 metres, compares to England’s 136. Tackle count is equally impressive – England with 76, Scotland just 43.

The handling errors are what is catching Scotland out though – it’s 10 to 2. If Scotland can tighten that area up, there’s no reason they can’t go on to retain the Calcutta Cup and earn a storied win against the Auld Enemy.

A promising drive from the lineout is brought to a standstill and the referee deems it unplayable – the final play of this half will see an England feed to the scrum inside their 22.

Mitchell feeds and England win a penalty against Fagerson for not driving straight.

They thump it up to halfway and from the lineout they break through Marcus Smith – straight through the middle of the ground.

He speeds away, turning Rowe inside out as he does, until he’s dragged down on the Scottish 5m line.

The final phase of the half sees the ball thrown wide right to Lawrence, who bumps Jordan off and tries a spectacular out-the-back pass but it goes into touch.

HALF TIME: England 7 – 10 Scotland 

A brilliant break from van der Merwe sees Scotland break down the left wing, with players hanging off the big man.

He flicks it inside for his colleagues to carry on and they’ve brought it up to the English 40m line.

Side to side Scotland go and they’re gaining and gaining on that try line.

Finally, on the English 5m line it’s turned over in the tackle and England clear. Just two minutes remain in this half.

A penalty from that lineout for taking Ritchie out in the air. Scotland kick towards the corner and we’ll repeat that lineout.

Scotland threaten once more, and a slick pass against the grain almost comes off for Jordan, but he’s stopped in his tracks on the 22.

Quick ball sees the phases stack up, and England are being forced to answer a lot of tricky questions.

The referee brings the attack to a halt though, it’s gone forward in the tackle.

England celebrate like they’ve won something.

A head clash between Ellis Genge and Tom Willis sees the latter go off for a HIA and Ben Curry will come on in his place for the time being.

Aerial ping pong after the scrum, with some serious hang time on some of these.

It ends with a mark from Marcus Smith, after a cheeky chip through from Russell.

He thumps the ball downfield and it’ll be a Scotland throw on halfway.

Scotland switch sides of play through Russell and it goes to Huw Jones who drives to the 5m line.

Here come the forwards, driving it on again. Scotland press and press, and it goes out wide to Jordan, who is outnumbered.

England will have the feed to a scrum though, as it was just tipped forward in the build-up.

Under pressure, Marcus Smith has to hurriedly clear his lines from deep inside his 22.

It’s sliced and Scotland have a lineout just outside the English 22 metre line.

Russell goes for a sneaky 50-22 but it’s fractionally too short. Great intent from the Scots in the past 10 minutes.

A scrum penalty to England (cheered like it’s the World Cup final). Cherry stood up in the middle and he was pinged.

England clear their lines, with about 15 minutes left to play in this first half.

Scotland are ramping up their attack here. From the lineout the ball goes wide left to van der Merwe who just swats away a would be defender.

Side to side they go, but eventually it is lost forward from the hands of try scorer Jones.

Jordan, van der Merwe and Ritchie have been stand-outs in the first 24-25 minutes of the match.

Scotland are a bit fortunate to win a penalty from the restart, for playing the ball on the ground.

It came after a long kick into the 22 and a quick throw to Kinghorn. England players aren’t thrilled about it but it is the right call.

After a period of aerial ping pong, the ball is knocked into touch for a Scottish throw.

Scotland win a penalty on halfway and thump it downfield.

From the set piece move, the ball is popped down to White, who flicks it cleanly to Russell. After looking left, he moves it wider to the left – Jones, then Jordan, and on to van der Merwe who carries hard into the 22.

As he goes into contact he flicks it back to Huw Jones and he tumbles over in the corner for Scotland’s second try! They take the lead again. Russell misses the conversion though. (England 7 – 10 Scotland)

England are looking to clear their lines now from the resulting scrum.

They poke and prod up to the 22 line, but the referee deems the ball unplayable and the scrum feed goes to Scotland.

Unfortunately it’s an early push from the visitors and England clear their lines up to halfway.

The attacking throw is taken down and Kyle Rowe crashes through a few tackles inside the 22.

Here come the forwards to inch Scotland towards the line. Dave Cherry, Jamie Ritchie and Zander Fagerson all have a go.

It’s flung wide to Kinghorn and he has a pop, but his pass goes astray and England are off the hook due to a knock on.

Straight from kick off England win a penalty and they hoof it down the field.

The resulting lineout, near halfway, goes the way of Scotland as England are caught holding on.

Now it’s Scotland’s turn to counter.

Penalty advantage to England, and they can risk it all.

With no threat of losing the ball, Tommy Freeman is the recipient of a quick ball from Alex Mitchell, he jinks right and, under the tackle of two Scots, he crosses over.

Questions over whether it has indeed touched the grass, but no matter – it’s given.

Marcus Smith converts and England take the lead. (England 7 – 5 Scotland)

England are coming though, from the back of a lineout inside Scotland’s 22, they rumble towards the 5m line with Itoje.

They move through the phases and out in front of the posts before going left and right. The forwards are keeping it tight.

They are camped right on the try line now.

After a long kick from England, Blair Kinghorn fields it and returns with vigour.

Now a chance for Scotland. Through the hands it goes, from Ben White, to lynchpin Finn Russell, to Duhan van der Merwe, and on to Tom Jordan who bolts towards the English 22.

He throws the pass inside to the grateful hands of scrum half White who jets over to open the scoring for Scotland! Russell pushed the conversion out to the right. (England 0 – 5 Scotland)

England with the first meaningful possession of the game. They move it through the hands and Marcus Smith puts boot to ball, tumbling the ball into Scotland’s 22 and out.

Dave Cherry with the first lineout throw of the game, but it’s a short hand free kick to Scotland for closing the gap in the lineout.

English fly half Fin Smith gets us underway after a hefty peep of the whistle.

It’s brought down by Jack Dempsey and the Calcutta Cup match has begun.

Here we go, folks.

Flower of Scotland and God Save the King have been sung.

We await our referee Pierre Brousset starting the match…

Both teams are out to raucous cheering.

National anthems up next!

Fireworks – check

Close-ups on the Calcutta Cup – check

Packed stadium – check

We are at a fever pitch here, just six minutes out from kick off

Just 10 minutes until we kick off in London. Come on, Scotland!!!

Ireland put down a valiant Wales side in the match which has just seen the full time whistle blown, 27 – 18.

The result of the coin toss is that the teams will be staying as they are and England will be kicking off.

While we wait, it’s worth taking a look at the other match today, while you can!

After a red card to Garry Ringrose in the first half, Ireland find themselves behind against Wales with time running out… an enthralling game.

Can you tell we’re a wee bit nervous (but mostly excited) about today’s match?

Right now it’s 13 degrees and partly cloudy at the stadium. There might be a dribble of rain in the next hour, but not much according to the forecast.

We should be in for pretty much perfect rugby conditions.

Coin toss up next…

Some key moments await the Scots today, here’s a glimpse behind the curtain into how they’re preparing:

It’s a mix of French and Irish officials today:

Referee: Pierre Brousset (FIR)
AR1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
AR2: Luc Ramos (FIR)

TMO: Tual Trainini (FIR)

Scotland squad update: Jamie Bhatti replaces Rory Sutherland on the bench who is out of the game with a back injury.

While we wait for news out of London, today’s match marks the 143rd international rugby encounter between England and Scotland, dating back to their first meet in Edinburgh in 1871.

Scotland will be seeking their fifth Calcutta Cup win on the bounce, while England are out to prise the coveted silverware away from the north for the first time since 2020.

15. Marcus Smith
14. Tommy Freeman
13. Ollie Lawrence
12. Henry Slade
11. Ollie Sleightholme
10. Fin Smith
9. Alex Mitchell

1. Ellis Genge
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Will Stuart
4. Maro Itoje – CAPTAIN
5. Ollie Chessum
6. Tom Curry
7. Ben Earl
8. Tom Willis

Replacements
16. Jamie George
17. Fin Baxter
18. Joe Heyes
19. Ted Hill
20. Chandler Cunningham-South
21. Ben Curry
22. Harry Randall
23. Elliot Daly

A reminder of today’s 2⃣3⃣ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿#AsOne pic.twitter.com/pWERcz1WHn

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 22, 2025

Welcome one and all to today’s live match centre as we look ahead to the Calcutta Cup tie – England versus Scotland at Allianz Stadium in London.

We’ll have all your team news shortly, so sit back and relax as we count down to kick off at 4:45.