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Scotland stun England, Ireland edge Italy in 6 Nations
AP •  February 15th, 2026 10:59 am
Scotland's Aussie-born captain Sione Tuipulotu lifts the Calcutta Cup after the win over England | Photo: AP
England's 12-test winning streak has been shattered by Scotland pulling out an astonishingly one-sided 31-20 victory at Murrayfield in the Six Nations.
On a day when Ireland didn't have to be near their best to beat Italy 20-13 in Dublin, England's defeat by a Scotland side featuring two Aussies in the shape of captain Sione Tuipulotu and Jack Dempsey felt like a big surprise.
England had been fancied to win at Murrayfield for the first time since 2020 on Saturday but were under pressure after a scintillating start by the hosts, who, conducted by a masterly Finn Russell, blasted off to a 17-0 lead after 14 minutes.
Centre Huw Jones skipped in for two Scotland tries in the Calcutta Cup clash | Photo: AP
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend, on his 100th Test, had been under fire after opening the championship last weekend with a humbling 18-15 loss to Italy in Rome.
But a sixth win (plus the epic draw in 2019) over England in nine match-ups will quieten the growing clamour for him to resign.
Henry Arundell, coming off a hat-trick against Wales, was sin-binned early for not releasing, and Russell's one-handed flick set up the opening try for Huw Jones.
The playmaker's next line break was followed by Tuipulotu's huge pass to unmarked flanker Jamie Ritchie to stroll over.
Arundell returned from the sin-bin to score thanks to George Ford, who added a conversion and penalty.
But then Russell switched the attack, stepped two defenders and chipped ahead, as Scotland scrum-half Ben White pounced to score.
Right on halftime, Arundell took out leaping opposite Kyle Steyn and his second yellow card became a 20-minute red.
Ford was perfect off the tee, but his drop goal attempt was charged down by Matt Fagerson, who collected the ball and let Jones race to the posts at the other end.
The visitors finished with a late converted try to No.8 Ben Earl.
Italy's Australian winger Monty Ioane cut a despondent figure after their defeat in Dublin | Photo: AP
In Dublin, Ireland had to come from behind at halftime to grind out an unconvincing result.
Coach Andy Farrell had wanted his slumping side to make a statement after being blown away by France 36-14 last week, but instead they came within inches of losing to Italy at home for the first time in the championship.
Italy contributed daringly to a compelling match and were unfortunate when they had a try from Louis Lynagh ruled out by a forward pass and another try missed by an unlucky bounce of the ball.
Ireland couldn't expose a gap until Hollie Davidson, the first woman to referee a Six Nations game, yellow-carded winger Lynagh for a deliberate knock-on. Centre Stuart McCloskey offloaded for fullback Jamie Osborne to score untouched.
Referee Hollie Davidson showed a yellow card to Italy's Louis Lynagh in Dublin | Photo: AP
Hooker Giacomo Nicotera responded with a score as Italy led 10-5 at the break but Jack Conan burrowed over soon after the break.
The Lynagh try was cancelled after centre Tommaso Menoncello ruined his lovely break with a forward pass.
When Ireland brought on new halves Jamison Gibson-Park and Crowley, the game's complexion changed, with Robert Baloucoune beating two defenders to the tryline.
Italy still rallied and Menoncello couldn't fully grasp a Paolo Garbisi chip in front of the Ireland posts. Agonisingly, it was Italy's narrowest loss in Dublin in 18 years.
