Rugby: Scotland fight back in stunning 38-38 draw with England

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Scotland came from 31-0 down only to see their hopes of a first win over England at Twickenham in 36 years dashed by George Ford in stoppage time on Saturday as a remarkable Calcutta Cup clash ended in 38-38 draw.

The final match of the 2019 Six Nations Championship appeared to be all over as a contest by the half hour with England 31-0 ahead.

Scotland, however, scored six tries, Darcy Graham crossing twice, in a run of 38 unanswered points to be within minutes of a first Twickenham triumph since 1983.

But the third minute of extra time at a blustery and rainswept Twickenham, saw England replacement fly-half Ford, following an attacking line-out off a penalty, score a try he converted to tie the scores with the last kick of the game.

Ellis Genge (with the ball) of England during the Guinness Six Nations Championship between England and Scotland in London, England, March 16, 2019. /VCG Photo

England coach Eddie Jones said his side had been "seduced by the scoreboard," with the Australian adding: "It was 100 percent mental."

Meanwhile, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend was left struggling to make sense of an incredible match.

"I've never been involved in a game like that as a player or a coach," said the former Scotland playmaker, "To go out and score another five tries in the second half is still hard to believe."

Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup courtesy of their 25-13 at Murrayfield last year, with England finishing this Six Nations as runners-up behind champions Wales.

The combined total of 76 points made this the highest scoring draw in Test history.

It was the first involving England and Scotland, who played the inaugural rugby union international in 1871 since a 15-15 encounter at Murrayfield nine years ago and the first between the old rivals at Twickenham since a 12-12 clash in 1989.

But Saturday's result in their last competitive match before the World Cup in Japan starts in September is bound to lead to fresh questions about their nerve following a second-half collapse in a defeat by Wales last month.

Source(s): AFP