Rugby: Scotland power to historic Six Nations win over England, Ireland outmuscle Wales

Duhan van der Merwe scored a superb hat-trick, as Scotland beat England 30-21 at Murrayfield on Sunday (NZ time) to claim a fourth successive championship win in the fixture for the first time since 1896.  

England, seeking a third Six Nations win for the first time since 2020, led through a George Furbank try after five minutes and looked in control, only for Van der Merwe to strike twice to help the hosts to a somewhat flattering 17-13 halftime lead.

The winger, who scored two superb tries in Scotland's victory at Twickenham last season, collected a Finn Russell kick three minutes into the second half for his third, and two Russell penalties stretched Scotland's lead to 30-16.

England emptied their bench and replacement wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso grabbed their second try after 66 minutes but, unlike in their opening wins over Italy and Wales, they could not complete the comeback as Scotland claimed their second victory having agonisingly lost to France last time out.

Earlier, Grand slam-chasing Ireland made it three bonus-point Six Nations wins from three against Wales at the Aviva Stadium, racking up their 18th successive home win in the process with a 31-7 victory.

The hosts dominated the first half and led by 17-0 at the break thanks to tries from Dan Sheehan and James Lowe.

A penalty try for Wales and yellow card for Ireland's Tadhg Beirne just after halftime threatened to make things interesting.

Ireland mostly resumed control with 14 men, though a ragged second half remained competitive until Ciaran Frawley marked his first Six Nations start with a debut try on 67 minutes and Beirne added the bonus-point try at the death as Wales sank to their 10th defeat in their last 11 Six Nations game.

Ireland travel to England in two weeks before hoping to play for their second successive grand slam at home to Scotland on March 16.  

Wales have back-to-back home games against France and Italy, with the latter now a potential wooden spoon decider.

Reuters.

Duhan van der Merwe scored a superb hat-trick, as Scotland beat England 30-21 at Murrayfield on Sunday (NZ time) to claim a fourth successive championship win in the fixture for the first time since 1896.  

England, seeking a third Six Nations win for the first time since 2020, led through a George Furbank try after five minutes and looked in control, only for Van der Merwe to strike twice to help the hosts to a somewhat flattering 17-13 halftime lead.

The winger, who scored two superb tries in Scotland's victory at Twickenham last season, collected a Finn Russell kick three minutes into the second half for his third, and two Russell penalties stretched Scotland's lead to 30-16.

England emptied their bench and replacement wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso grabbed their second try after 66 minutes but, unlike in their opening wins over Italy and Wales, they could not complete the comeback as Scotland claimed their second victory having agonisingly lost to France last time out.

Earlier, Grand slam-chasing Ireland made it three bonus-point Six Nations wins from three against Wales at the Aviva Stadium, racking up their 18th successive home win in the process with a 31-7 victory.

The hosts dominated the first half and led by 17-0 at the break thanks to tries from Dan Sheehan and James Lowe.

A penalty try for Wales and yellow card for Ireland's Tadhg Beirne just after halftime threatened to make things interesting.

Ireland mostly resumed control with 14 men, though a ragged second half remained competitive until Ciaran Frawley marked his first Six Nations start with a debut try on 67 minutes and Beirne added the bonus-point try at the death as Wales sank to their 10th defeat in their last 11 Six Nations game.

Ireland travel to England in two weeks before hoping to play for their second successive grand slam at home to Scotland on March 16.  

Wales have back-to-back home games against France and Italy, with the latter now a potential wooden spoon decider.

Reuters.

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