Steve Borthwick says Scotland 'showed up' for embattled Gregor Townsend as defeated England left with 'plenty to learn' from Calcutta Cup mauling

React to this story

Scotland delivered the goods in their Calcutta Cup showdown with England at Murrayfield, winning 31-20. It was the perfect way for Scotland to bounce back, following their disappointing defeat against Italy on the opening weekend of the Six Nations. England head coach Steve Borthwick said after the game on Saturday that Scotland's players had 'showed up' for embattled head coach Gregor Townsend.

'I expect England to win' - Care and Ashton preview 'massive' Calcutta Cup clash

Video credit: TNT Sports

England head coach Steve Borthwick said that Scotland's players "showed up" for Gregor Townsend as they claimed a brilliant Calcutta Cup victory.

Scotland were stunned by Italy on the opening weekend of the Six Nations, leading to some fierce criticism of the head coach, but bounced back in style to see off England at a delirious Murrayfield.

Huw Jones scored two tries for the hosts, with Jamie Ritchie and Ben White also touching down in the 31-20 win. And Borthwick believes the hosts delivered for their head coach.

Nations Championship

Borthwick hits out at ‘negativity committee' amid warning over discipline

19/07/2026 at 13:21

"There has been a lot of talk about Gregor Townsend, but his players really showed up today, they really performed and really played for Gregor today," Borthwick told the BBC.

"They don't play like that in every single game. We will look at where we weren't good, and we will work on those things.

"I think we have a mixed kick strategy. We tried it today, but credit to Scotland, their backfield coverage was good.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu lifts the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield

Image credit: Getty Images

"This Championship is full of good teams and these contests are hard fought. Today we gave ourselves too much to do. There is plenty for us to learn from and take forward.

"Win or lose, we will always be working to being a better team."

For his part, a clearly delighted Townsend hit out at claims that his team saves their best performances for England.

"We played some of our best rugby against England and that's great," Townsend said.

"I don't know why people see a negative in that, it's our biggest game. It seems to be a narrative that it's a negative that we do well in this fixture. We only see positives, and I reminded our players how well we've done in this fixture.

"I'm very proud of the team. I was proud of them last week, we went 29 phases in monsoon conditions, starting from our own try-line to try and win that game.

"You ask so much of the players during the week and they put it in at the weekend. If they don't turn up with a victory, it's not down to their energy and effort. I was proud of them last week, and I'm proud of them this week.

"It's about the team. We've had performances at this level just recently - the New Zealand game and for part of the Argentina game - there's a tendency to look at the negatives. Tonight we started better and drove our performance all the way through.

"This team's been playing really good rugby and it's nice to just get a result."

England will aim to quickly bounce back when they host Ireland next Saturday, while Scotland will travel to Cardiff to face Wales.

Tuipulotu sheds guilt

Sione Tuipulotu admitted that he felt guilty about his role in Scotland's defeat against Italy in their opening game of the Six Nations.

Tuipulotu started the clash at the Stadio Olimpico at inside centre, but could do nothing to prevent the Italians from storming to victory.

He insisted that Italy were the better team on the day, but that Scotland got behind their head coach after the full-time whistle blew.

"I'm extremely proud," Tuipulotu said.

"To go through what we went through last week really hurt, and we understood because we deserved it. Ultimately, Italy were better than us.

"We really felt like our backs were against the wall, and we showed up today.

"I felt guilty. Head coaching is a hard job because when it is going well you get all the positives, but when it is not going well you get all of the criticism.

"We got behind our coach this week. I'm proud of the boys for getting behind our coach and delivering a performance."

Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+

Nations Championship