Van der Merwe hat-trick ends England’s Grand Slam hopes for Scotland in Six Nations 2024

At this rate, they will lock the Calcutta Cup in Scotland’s showcase and throw away the key. Scotland beat England for the fourth time in as many seasons with one of the game’s heaviest tartan thumps, orchestrated by the talented Finn Russell and delivered by England’s now-familiar nemesis Doohan · Van der Merwe’s brilliant hat-trick lights up.

Talk about a Flying Scotsman crashing into history. Van der Merwe was England’s scourge at Twickenham last season and the 28-year-old has been even more influential here as his side win the ancient competition for the first time in more than 50 years four wins. It also breathed new life into Scotland’s title hopes, while England once again had to go home and think again with games in Ireland and France.

The tourists had no complaints. They faltered badly after a bright start and by the end, their team was being unceremoniously pushed backwards to the cheers of a jubilant home crowd. For years, Scotland fans have feared the potential punishment this game would bring. They’ll happily play against England every week these days.

Van der Merwe is one of them, and he seems to have reacted positively to the introduction of the white jersey. His two tries against England at Twickenham last season were both eye-catching and his latest display has been nothing short of dazzling. Scotland are still a long way from perfection but when the hammer fell their performance was thrilling. The way they capitalized on a quick restart also put England at a disadvantage, and even after a few wobbles they maintained a cohesion and collective energy few visitors could match. It provided Russell with a perfect behind-the-scenes platform that the Scotland baton-hand would never waste.

The ingredients for an exciting Scottish afternoon are there all day long. It was cold but, above all, dry, and the walk to the stadium on match day was never short of partisan enthusiasm. After much deliberation, they even staged a sing-along performance of The Greatest Showman at the theater for those without tickets to see rugby star Russell strut around town.

For those prepared to try and embrace it, England’s mission is to put the lid on the Scottish showman’s magic box. It would be even better if they could find a way to do that with and without the ball. It was an encouraging moment when George Ford produced a perfect strike to release Elliot Daly on his shoulder to put over the elated George Furbank after just five minutes , trying to make Scotland stop and think.

Initially, the hosts had little to plan, from the bounce of the ball to the temporary absence of Jander Fagerson due to a concussion check. Ford awarded a penalty kick after completing Firbank’s shot, and the scoreboard read 0-10. England got the crucial fast start they were looking for for the first time in the Championship.

Scotland desperately needed a response and found one quickly. Sione Tuipulotu’s deft hands deflected off his center partner Huw Jones and flicked a pass to Van der Merwe in support. The big wing dropped into a screen and scored wide on the right side, and Russell completed a tricky transition that looked like a child’s play.

England showed more promise when in possession than at any stage before this World Cup, but costly mistakes still hampered them. In their eagerness to play, a pass bounced off Forbank’s head and back into the Scots’ hands, and suddenly, with more than 60 meters to go, Van der Merwe raced towards the left touchline. He raced past Ben Earl and Henry Slade into the corner so close to the touchline it looked like he might be racing for the ball. Once again, Russell practices his angle transitions to be straight and true.

That’s the way modern racing is: thrust and reverse thrust, shifts in power coming almost out of nowhere. Russell added another penalty to make it 17-10, and Ford responded with another fine goal to add to his growing tally, but England lost at half-time Trailing for the third straight game.

Dua Lipa’s Houdini felt the half-time choice was not entirely inappropriate in the circumstances, but this England side faced fewer opponents against Italy and Wales. Despite losing the limping Tupulotu, Russell’s perfect chip rolled into the corner, putting more pressure on the visitors and worse was about to happen.

Tupulotu’s successor, Cam Redpath, somehow managed to escape the predicament and rush back up front, only to be brought to Earth. Scotland had the perfect platform, though, as Russell’s shrewd cross found the lurking van der Merwe, who completed his hat-trick with 35 minutes remaining.

Ford converted another penalty, but after play resumed, George Martin’s penalty got his side back on the pitch. It summed up England’s night: one step forward, two steps back.

Scotland’s eyes are now shining as they tighten the screws, while the early exits of some of England’s so-called key figures tell their own sobering stories.

Manny Faye-Waboso did score his first try in a Test match with a superb shot in the final quarter, but by then another winger had long since put the game out of reach and. If they narrowly miss out against France, Scotland will still be in contention for a Grand Slam. There’s more to life than just beating England, but equally, it never loses its luster in those terms.