Scottish Six Nations Hope

Scotland did something special on Saturday. They did something just about every Scotsman dreams of, but that never quite comes to pass except on very special occasions; they beat England. At rugby, specifically.  

Early penalties were traded, magnificent tries were scored - Huw Jones forcing his way through half the England team single handed being the crown jewel, with a beautiful Finn Russell pass coming a close second-nerves were tested, demons were banished, a twelve-point margin of victory - Scotland 25 England 13 - was achieved. It was great. 

After all, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to describe Scotland’s victory in the Calcutta Cup as a seismic event in Scottish Rugby. It was the first Scottish victory in the fixture since 2008; the biggest margin of victory over England since the 1980’s; the biggest Scottish victory since Australia last autumn and, most importantly, it has brought Scotland as close to a maiden Six Nations title - their last win was the final Five Nations competition in 1999-as they have ever been.  

Which, admittedly, isn’t saying much. The Scots have a five-point deficit on the Irish - who have clocked two bonus-point victories and are unbeaten this campaign - and are still a point behind England despite their Murrayfield victory over the Auld Enemy.  

To win, Scotland must beat the Irish at the Aviva Stadium - ending a horrid away record in doing so - and secure a bonus point win over Italy. They also must hope that England doesn’t pick up a bonus point, beat Ireland on the last day and that the Scots can rack up a big enough score to secure a superior points difference come to the end of the tournament.  

The point is, there’s a chance. A genuine chance to win something other than moral satisfaction and a wooden spoon-which we were holders of just three short years ago. For a nation which has seen some of the lowest lows imaginable in recent years, that’s quite something.