Scotland

Tandy’s response to heavy opening defeats against England and France, in which Wales conceded 15 tries and 102 points, was to make four changes.

Uncapped Leicester wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow , Dragons second-row Ben Carter and Scarlets flanker Taine Plumtree coming in for Ellis Mee, Dan Edwards, Adam Beard and Olly Cracknell.

Wales made shocking starts in the opening two games but ensured that was not the case on this occasion.

Plumtree and Hamer-Webb both picked up injuries in the opening two minutes. Hamer-Webb was forced off briefly with a bloody nose before Plumtree was permanently replaced by James Botham because of a shoulder problem.

Wales’ discipline was again poor in the opening exchanges with two soft penalties, before Joe Hawkins was sent to the bunker for a high tackle on Scotland flanker Gregor Brown, who had moved from lock to the back row from the victory over England to replace the injured Jamie Ritchie.

Wing Josh Adams made a couple of important early interventions with a crucial tackle on Scotland centre Huw Jones followed by a vital interception.

Wales rallied with 14 men and after a searing break from scrum-half Tomos Williams, the home side produced an identical successful tap penalty move to last week when Carre dived over after the initial drive from Lake.

Hawkins’ card remained yellow as it was deemed a passive tackle but it was still an 11th sin-binning in Tandy’s seven games in charge.

Scotland took advantage of the extra back with a sweeping move that was finished by Steyn.

Hawkins returned and his fellow Scarlets centre Eddie James, along with Lake, Carre and flanker Alex Mann, laid the foundations for Adams to cross for his 24th Wales try.

Costelow, who was starting his first game since July 2025 with Edwards having played the past seven games, converted from the touchline.

Botham was outstanding after his early introduction and a turnover laid the foundations for a Costelow penalty.

Scotland made a couple of early tactical substitutions as prop Pierre Schoeman and back rower Josh Bayliss came on for Nathan McBeth and Max Williamson, with Brown reverting to lock.

After another storming Steyn break, a vital Mann turnover forced a penalty as Wales led 17-5 at half-time, the first time the home side had led under Tandy at the interval.

Arguably it was Wales’ worst performance of the opening three rounds but they still had enough to avoid only a second home Six Nations defeat to the Scots.

The visitors, who started with an impressive win in Italy and then pushed England hard, will lament missed opportunities when they had the wind at their backs.

With both head coaches of the senior teams, Steve Tandy and Gregor Townsend, in attendance it was the hosts that started sharply.

They were 11-0 up after 12 minutes thanks to Exeter lock Evans going over from close range and a pair of booming penalties by Leggatt-Jones.

The second try came in the 16th minute after fast hands released Tom Bowen down the left and the wing stayed calm to put centre, and Cardiff clubmate, Cutts over for a try on debut.

Scotland needed a response but were denied one when a try from a snipe by scrum-half Hamish MacArthur, one of nine Edinburgh players in the XV, was chalked off due to a neck roll in the build-up.

The final act of a scrappy first half was a third Leggatt-Jones penalty to stretch the lead to 19-0.

The Scots were held up over the line three minutes after the restart but were over through Glasgow centre Waugh from a neat offload by rangy fly-half Jack Dalziel.

Scrum-half MacArthur converted to make it 19-7 but Wales caught the visitors cold with a rare attacking foray in the 52nd minute.

Impressive captain Deian Gwynn burst into the 22 from a cunning line-out move for Leggatt-Jones to find the unmarked Scott with a cross-kick that the debutant did well to gather in the challenging wind.

The nerves were settled and Wales sealed victory on the hour when hooker Howe, their star of the tournament so far, barged over.

Scotland finished hunting a pair of bonus points thanks to tries by Marshall and Rennie but late chances went begging and it was a pointless trip.

After a rest weekend, Wales take on Ireland in Cork while Scotland welcome France to Edinburgh.

The train rocks you to sleep and wakes you somewhere spectacular

Just one sleeper train ride away from a major English city is spectacular views, deserted beaches and waterfalls. Features Writer Kirsty Bosley branded it “one of the most magical days of her entire life”.

Just the previous evening, she had been stuck in gridlock at Birmingham’s Five Ways island, stressed and anxious about missing the Caledonian Sleeper – the train that lulls you to sleep in the midland city and rouses you in the Scottish Highlands.

She secured a ticket to whisk her from Brum to Inverness, awakening in Scotland following a 10-hour journey on the overnight service and granting roughly 12 hours there before her pre-booked return departure.

The purpose was straightforward: To see whether the Caledonian Sleeper merits booking, given it’s only recently begun collecting passengers in Birmingham. Kirsty gives her honest opinion on her trip…

Therefore, I was determined to cram in absolutely everything possible during those 12 hours – family-friendly attractions, trails for hikers, intimate experiences for lovers and tranquil spots for contemplation in the wilderness, much like the moment I was savouring on Dores Beach, reports Birmingham Live.

Furthermore, I aimed to accomplish everything whilst spending minimal money, surviving on Tunnocks Teacakes and Irn Bru alongside small portable snacks we grabbed en route. The day’s largest expense turned out to be the most worthwhile: a pre-paid £42 hire car from Enterprise.

After a brisk 15-minute stroll from the train station, we picked it up and embarked on our ambitious mission to navigate the entirety of Loch Ness (roughly 70 miles) in a single day.

Fuelled by a mere £15, we accomplished our goal, embarking on a clockwise journey that began with tears of joy as the loch unveiled itself, perfectly timed to Taylor Swift’s bridge from Cruel Summer blaring from the speakers.

We pulled over, rolled down the windows and danced roadside under the rising sun, brimming with anticipation for the perfect day ahead.

A masterclass in Loch Ness

Following our jubilant pit stop, our first destination was the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel to see the plaque commemorating Ozzy Osbourne’s nocturnal escapades in the loch, where he searched for Nessie alongside his son Jack.

Driving felt less like a chore and more like a pleasure with the constant backdrop of the Highlands. In Drumnadrochit, at the hotel where the monster tales originated, we made our second largest purchase of the day: £15 entry to The Loch Ness Centre, narrated in its entirety by David Tennant.

As we moved from room to room, we delved into the origins of the rumours, the ensuing frenzy, the history and geography of the land, and the Scottish myths and legends that lent an air of reality to the tale.

We also discovered the fascinating science behind why it’s impossible to definitively prove there isn’t a monster lurking in a body of water so extraordinarily deep that all the freshwater from every lake, reservoir and river in England and Wales combined couldn’t fill it.

Following that revelation, I found myself scrutinising the water far more intently, half-convinced there was a genuine possibility she might poke her enormous neck above the surface to greet us passing Brummies.

The sheer sense of wonder sparked by the centre’s masterclass justified the entrance fee entirely, as every subsequent free activity we undertook was now enhanced by our newfound knowledge.

We reached Urquhart Castle in remarkably quick time – a military ruin positioned directly on the water’s edge.

Walk-up admission costs £16 and whilst I was certain it would be spectacular to explore, we decided to save it for another visit now we were absolutely convinced we’d be returning. Boat excursions can transport you there, so that was immediately added to my ‘to-do’ list.

Enchanted woodlands and breathtaking vistas

We pressed on along the waterside A82 towards Invermoriston, the sort of place that appears lifted straight from an adventure film.

The Old Bridge spanning the thundering falls of the River Moriston, as it crashes dramatically towards Loch Ness, resembles something from a fairy tale. Despite being situated on the renowned Great Glen Way trail, it all felt like a mystical secret because remarkably few other visitors were present.

We parked up (parking is free, but donations are appreciated, as with many public toilets along the route) and embarked on a stroll into the woodland, pausing at the historic Summer House Victorian folly to soak in the surroundings, much like folks did years ago as salmon battled their way upstream.

Meandering through spongy clusters of radiant white reindeer lichen, pausing to observe the rapids and keeping an eye out for squirrels, I felt a sense of tranquillity wash over me. It’s a must-visit spot for any traveller – I wish every Brummie could experience it.

By the time we reached the South Shore, it was 2pm, and we’d managed to cover half the loch’s circumference in just four hours.

A brief pause for photos and laughter ensued before we rounded the southernmost point and were greeted by a view so breathtaking from the Suidhe Viewpoint that we had to pull over.

Another family of tourists arrived, and although we exchanged few words, our shared silence spoke volumes about the unforgettable, life-affirming moment we were experiencing. We swapped cameras to help each other capture proof of our presence in this extraordinary place. The wild beauty of our surroundings was almost overwhelming as we continued our journey.

Wildlife and waterfalls

We encountered a majestic stag who turned to regard our car. It felt like we’d stepped into an illustration on the front of a tin of special shortbread biscuits. Overhead, giant birds, possibly including a golden eagle, soared majestically.

Our next stop was the Falls of Foyers, a spectacular 140ft waterfall nestled within a forest inhabited by elusive red squirrels. Tunnocks Teacakes and Irn Bru proved insufficient fuel for the challenging descent down steep steps, but thankfully the Waterfall Cafe offered sausage rolls and other snacks to revive us.

With daylight fading, we passed by Boleskine House (the former residence of Aleister Crowley and Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page), which was shut, though we went anyway simply to say we’d been, before heading off to find a man we’d discovered at The Loch Ness Centre.

Dusk – One final adventure

Steve Feltham is a renowned ‘Nessie Hunter’ who abandoned his family business, relationship and home to move from Dorset. Since 1991, he’s lived on the loch’s shores and has devoted himself to spotting ‘the monster’ ever since.

Yet his tale is really about leaving behind what doesn’t fulfil you and pursuing the life you desire. I desperately wanted to meet him before nightfall.

We reached his modest dwelling as the sky began transforming colours above Dores Beach. He wasn’t there, but after the dog-walkers departed, I chose to wait a whilst longer in case he returned.

The pebbled shoreline is magnificent, the surroundings breathtaking. I pondered whether Steve might welcome a new neighbour, though I knew Birmingham beckoned so I could pen this account.

Both Steve and Nessie remained beyond our grasp, only one possessing confirmed existence but both surrounded by legends I yearned to explore further. Returning to relinquish the rental car and hop back on what I’ll forever dub the ‘Loch Ness Express’, we bid farewell to it all, but only physically.

I was convinced that my spirit remained in Invermoriston, still on the hunt for red squirrels. I plan to retrieve her on the next available journey aboard the Caledonian Sleeper. This time around, I’ll be sure to pack sandwiches.

DID you know that the UK is home to Europe’s largest wave pool?

The resort that’s a haven for surfers has just been named as the best of its kind in the world – it also has on-site restaurants and luxury lodges.

Lost Shore Surf Resort in Ratho has been named the World’s Best Surf Park by Blooloop.

The publication assessed the likes of on-site food and drink, overnight accommodation, hot tubs and recovery pools, viewing areas.

The resort was a £60million project and is found on a Craigpark Quarry just outside of Edinburgh.

It opened in 2024 and last year welcomed 200,000 visitors – of course most were enticed by the fact that it’s home to Europe’s largest wave pool which provides top tiers water conditions for keen surfers.

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

Surf lesson start from £65 (£55 for children) and is coached in groups of eight with qualified instructors.

For those who are more experienced, a ‘surf session’ starts from £60 (£50 for children) – you can choose the wave setting and get started.

There are also surfskate lessons on offer which is a form of skateboarding that feels like surfing on dry land – and is recommended for beginners before heading into the water.

These start from £22.50 (£17 for children).

While Lost Shore Resort is obviously a haven for surfers, but there’s so much more to do on-site too from checking out its food options, to checking into its beautiful pods and lodges.

The high-end luxury Hilltop Lodges at the resort have sweeping views across the cove.

Inside are open plan living areas with up to four bedrooms and are ideal for families or large groups.

A stay in a Hilltop Lodge which sleeps up to eight people starts from £200 (with a minimum two night stay).

The cheapest stay is in the waterfront pods which are right next to the wave pool and each comes with a floating super king bed.

It’s high-tech so guests get touchscreen and app control over the pod -it has mood lighting and the en-suite bathroom has underfloor heating.

A one-night stay in the pod which sleeps up to two people starts from £100 per night.

There are plenty of offers for those who want to ‘surf and stay’ with one night in a Waterfront Pod along with four surfs starting from £300.

Blooloop added: “The venue goes above and beyond the core surf park offerings through its Surf Therapy collaborations with The Wave Project and Inclusive Surfing Scotland.

“Weekly events fill the calendar like Quiz Night, dance events, movie premieres, kids surf camps and specialty surf competitions.”

The resort focuses on wellness too, so the resort also has a spa with a wood-fired sauna – a 30-minute session is just £10.

Visitors and members can also book massages and other treatments.

There are even surf-inspired treatments like ‘soulful surfer’ which is an aromatherapy and rebalance ritual.

It’s loved by visitors too, one wrote on Tripadvisor: “Lost Shore is a Phenomenal place. The food was amazing, surf was awesome and the accommodation was stunning. I would highly recommend a visit.”

Another guest added: “The facility is incredible, looks beautiful and the attention to detail of every aspect is clear to see. We stayed in a large pod and it was amazing, right beside the pool, big rooms, kitchen, all the amenities you could want.”

Over the Easter holidays, Lost Shore Resort is offering family stays in the Hilltop Lodges from £150 per night.

And for anyone staying in the months of February and March, guests can enjoy a free brunch, from pastries to granola, toasted croissants and breakfast baps.

There are three different restaurants at the canteen on the resort – lost Kitchen which serves up the likes of chunky fish fingers and fried chicken with chips.

At Lost Taco, dig into Mexican favourites of tacos, burritos and nachos, or opt for Civerinos or pizzas and crispy gnocchi.

As for where to find it, Lost Shore Resort is 25 minutes from Edinburgh‘s city centre.

For more on surfing, one writer visited The Wave near Bristol – which is the second best surf park in the world.

Plus, check out this exotic new ‘floating’ outdoor swimming pool to open right by the River Thames.

George Munsey – so often the man to provide impetus at the top of the order for Scotland – struggled to find the middle of the bat as he made 27 from 29 balls.

In contrast, Jones looked in magnificent touch as he found gaps in the off-side field and struck powerfully down the ground.

However, when Jones and Brandon McMullen (25) both fell in one Sompal Kami over, momentum evaporated.

Berrington (10) was the only other batter to reach double figures for Scotland as Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross and Leask all fell in quick succession.

Nepal’s bowlers used pace-off variations to great effect in the death overs with Kami (3-25) particularly impressive.

Mark Watt struck the final ball of the innings for six to boost Scottish hopes, but under lights on a good pitch it felt as though they were at least 10 runs short.

In reply, Nepal reached 56 without loss after a powerplay in which both openers were the beneficiaries of good fortune.

Brad Currie put down Kushal Bhurtel with a tough chance off his own bowling before Brad Wheal hit the stumps without dislodging the bails.

Wicketkeeper Cross also failed to cling on when Aasif Sheikh gloved one from Currie down the leg side.

Bhurtel (43) and Sheikh (33) were both dismissed by the ever-competitive Leask as Scotland fought back, and when the off-spinner also removed captain Rohit Paudel, Nepal were behind the eight ball.

That wicket brought Gulshan Jha to the middle with Airee in the 14th over and three sixes in consecutive balls off Olly Davidson and then Leask provided another twist.

Airee’s fast hands and faster running was the bedrock of the chase, as he rotated strike expertly and found the boundary when required to leave five required from six deliveries.

Having failed to take 10 from the final over in the defeat by England, Jha swiped Wheal for four through mid-wicket to seal a famous win for the team known as the Cardiac Kids.

The tiny, off-grid cabin looked almost unreal: made of repurposed oak it stood by a private lochan, with separate cedar sauna, cold outdoor shower, sunken hot tub, and a jetty with two hammocks and a pair of paddleboards. It screamed Finland or Sweden, not a sheep and deer farm in the Scottish Borders. It was the sort of isolated location that would set Ben Fogle’s heart racing in New Lives in the Wild. Two swans bugled my arrival. I felt a little embarrassed that all of it was mine.

Sometimes, we need to escape to a place where the phone coverage is bad enough to make you believe you’re somewhere truly wild. Tiny Home Borders, hidden in rippling foothills 10 miles east of Hawick, is such a place. Last August, owners David and Claire Mactaggart opened a second two-person cabin on their farmland (the first opened in 2022) and I jumped at the chance to stay, swim, soak, and – crucially – switch-off.

That first night, on the windblown deck a metre above the lapping water, I fired up the outdoor wood oven and tried to relax. But there was too much to do. First, I had a sauna. Then, I braved a cold plunge in the lochan and a rewarding soak in the burbling hot tub, with the smell of wood smoke filling my nostrils. A pizza followed beside the cabin’s crackling log burner, and later I stargazed using the cabin’s fabulous telescope.

As farms seek new ways to make money, farm stays and agritourism are, unsurprisingly a growing sector. According to Visit Scotland, the combined value of agritourism and farm retail could reach £250m by 2030, a rise driven by growing consumer interest in sustainable tourism. Fittingly, the country is to host the inaugural Global Agritourism Conference in June, and the big topic of discussion within farming is not only the increasing costs of food production but how to diversify and do so sustainably.

The Mactaggarts built their first tiny hut out of an old bale trailer, as an experiment more than anything else. The dream was to create an eco home away from home, with a mezzanine sleeping space above the lounge and kitchen, and with drama to match the setting below Rubers Law, a mini Ben Nevis on the banks of the River Teviot. Then, quickly, one cabin became two, the second built far out of sight of the other. Plans are afoot for a third cabin in another glen on the farm. And everything is as eco as possible, with hemp insulation, solar panels and batteries, reclaimed wood from the farm – and no wifi.

A 90-minute drive from Edinburgh, the location is a great base for exploring an undervisited part of the country. “The Borders is nothing more than a drive-through for many visitors coming north,” Claire said. “It’s a beautiful area, but it’s one so few know about,” David added.

Beside the location, breakfast is one of the delights of a stay. Fresh bread. Salty butter. Homemade marmalade. Farm eggs, when the hens are laying. Coffee on the deck and a set of binoculars provided. On my first morning, the sky shone saltire blue.

Wildlife adds to the picture. Red deer outnumber people in these hills, so with wellies on after breakfast, I headed up the gentle slopes of Rubers Law to look for the Borders’ Big Five: bellowing deer, plus sheep, fox, pheasant and red squirrel.

I passed along a muddy single track where wildflowers and wild garlic starting to sprout below hawthorn. Ahead, I saw two vicar-collared male pheasants, then, farther up the brae, five enormous hind deer that had come down from the cold of the hill. In the distance, where the path ended, I could see ducks, sheep, cattle and horses. It was Old MacDonald Had a Farm sprung to life.

Few parts of the Borders are lovelier than historic Hawick. This town of textile weavers is full of cosy cafes, craft shops and tweed retailers that are perfect for a hit of winter warmth, and the centre is stitched together by four bridges, but also by mills for some of the world’s best-known knitwear manufacturers, including Hawico and Lovat Mill.

Perhaps most striking is Johnstons of Elgin, home to a visitor centre, cafe and showroom designed to showcase the appeal of Borders knitwear. Thanks to Hawick’s longstanding tradition, its cashmere, merino and tweed pieces are now coveted by the biggest names in haute couture: Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren.

After lunch at nearby Damascus Drum, a cafe-bookshop decorated with flat-weave rugs, I joined a guided tour of Johnstons of Elgin’s newly extended operation at Eastfield Mill, which opened last August. The mill is labyrinthine and atmospheric, home to hundreds of knitters, needle-workers and machines, all hand-finishing, stitching and whirring. Next to this is a yarn library holding 18 tonnes of kaleidoscopic colour, from gorse yellow to heathery purple.

My last stop was the Borders Distillery in the town’s former hydroelectric plant, a fitting place to finish on a winter’s day. With the rain pouring outside, the sky dark as slate, a glass of blended Scotch at the tour’s end from distiller David Shuttleworth felt like a blessing. The glass smelt of green apples and grass, and I was perfectly able to picture the Borders farms that grow the barley for the spirit’s malt.

“The whisky industry is about storytelling and ours is tied to Hawick’s landscape,” said David. “The Teviot brought us here and all our malt comes from 20 miles around the distillery.” That also translates to a low carbon footprint and a community-driven vision that, combined with a takeaway miniature dram, left me feeling heartened.

Back at the cabin, it was late, and, out there in the darkness, I sat under the deck’s awning in the rain, my glass of whisky drained. What a great wee place Hawick is, I thought. What a place of rural community and inspiration. And hopefully many newcomers will agree with the Mactaggarts – that this is a place that’s been overlooked by too many for too long.

The trip was provided by Visit Scotland and Tiny Home Borders. Tiny Home One sleeps two, from £180 per night B&B (two-night minimum, including pick up if travelling by public transport). Johnstons of Elgin tours cost £15. Borders Distillery tours, £20. For more information on visiting Hawick, see Scotland Starts Here

At one of the most popular tourist destinations, which dates back more than 5,000 years, visitors throw coins into a toilet in what they believe is a wishing well

The UK’s ‘lost city’ has been attracting tourists from around the world – but most of them want to toss pennies into a toilet.

Skara Brae, on the Orkney archipelago in Scotland, is a preserved Neolithic village that was inhabited by a farming community around 5,000 years ago. It stands as one of the finest-preserved farming settlements across the British Isles and is known as the “Scottish Pompeii”.

The village was inhabited between 3100 and 2500 BC, and its close proximity to the sea allowed its residents to easily hunt for fish while also growing crops and tending to their various animals. It isn’t exactly clear why Skara Brae was abandoned, but it’s thought to have become uninhabitable due to climate change and severe weather.

READ MORE: Abandoned UK village left a ‘ghost town’ with 33 unfinished new build homes boarded upREAD MORE: I booked a mystery holiday for £79 and thought things couldn’t get worse — they did

It was left largely untouched until a storm in 1850 uncovered the site, revealing its fascinating past and prehistoric dwellings. Following a dig at Skara Brae, remnants of the community were further uncovered, including stone dressers and box beds, along with artefacts such as tools, gaming dice, pots and jewellery.

Together with a substantial chambered tomb (Maes Howe) and two ceremonial stone circles (the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar), the settlement now forms part of the “Heart of Neolithic Orkney” collection of monuments, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Dating back thousands of years, the site remains one of the island’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing crowds near and far. In a long-standing tradition, superstitious visitors have frequently thrown pennies into an ancient hole in the ground of the preserved Neolithic village, believing it to be a wishing well.

However, it’s actually a toilet – and not everyone realises. Experts have outlined that the hole in the ground is merely an “old sewer” and a network of well-constructed drains and substantial cisterns.

Local tour guide from Orkney Uncovered, Kinlay Francis, previously shared on Facebook: “For years, people have been throwing money down a subterranean hole in the Skara Brae ground, thinking they are throwing money down a well to make a wish.

“I have great delight in telling my clients and anybody who throws their money down there that they are, in fact, throwing money down a toilet.

“This is the old drain/sewer from the Skara Brae site. It is not, and I repeat, not a wishing well. So don’t go there to spend a penny.”

The post quickly amassed over 2,000 reactions and nearly 150 comments, as people couldn’t believe the hilarious mix-up. One person remarked: “Oh! So! Priceless!”, while a second said: “Really a p*****g well not a wishing well then”.

A third commented: “It’s not a wishing well…it’s a s******g well.” Yet, not everyone was prepared to ditch their beliefs, as one noted: “Still…maybe brings good luck”, and another stated: “Where there is muck, there is brass!”

The confusion hasn’t stopped visitors from marvelling at the Neolithic village, and it’s received outstanding praise on TripAdvisor. One traveller shared: “Skara Brae Prehistoric Village is a must-see if you are in the Orkney Islands. Such an interesting place. You will be blown away by how well-preserved this 5000-year-old site is.”

A second commented: “This was my second time to Skara Brae and it was just as wonderful as the first. The setting of this village is spectacular, and on this visit, the weather was outstanding. On my first visit, the rain was blowing sideways. It is fantastic to view the site and then visit the reconstructed house to see how these people lived. Not so different from us – pretty pots, stone dressers and reasonably comfortable beds with skins as duvets!”

One more noted: “A must-see bucket list experience older than the Giza pyramids. Although the museum is small, the recreated room really brings alive the site. They even had plumbing. Once you are at the site, you can tour the homes from the walkway, which shows the genius of the ancient culture. Plentiful parking with a good gift shop/cafe.”

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Scotland delivered a magnificent Calcutta Cup triumph for under-pressure head coach Gregor Townsend after a week of “guilt”, says captain Sione Tuipulotu.

Off the back of an opening Six Nations defeat by Italy in torrential Rome rain which triggered a sharpened focus on Townsend’s tenure, Scotland’s title chances were on the line as they welcomed in-form England to Murrayfield.

And they delivered a spectacular opening burst, racing into a 17-0 lead inside 15 minutes, one which they never looked like surrendering.

Townsend’s side played with pace and verve as Finn Russell stamped his mark on this famous old fixture.

The Scotland fly-half set up Huw Jones’ first try with a gorgeous tap-on pass before spreading the play right and then left for Jamie Ritchie to go over.

Even when England hit back through Henry Arundell – who was subsequently sent off for a second yellow card offence – Scotland continued to play with freedom and confidence and they added a third after Ellis Genge failed to gather Russell’s chip over the top and Ben White capitalised.

The visitors, having won their past 12 Tests, came back into the contest after half-time but Scotland stood strong in defence and scored a bonus-point try through Jones after George Ford’s drop-goal attempt was charged down.

“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.”

England beat Scotland by five wickets in India to recover position in group at 2026 T20 World Cup.

Tom Banton’s unbeaten 63 led England to a five-wicket T20 World Cup victory over Scotland in Kolkata on Saturday that kept Harry Brook’s side on course for the Super Eights.

Victory in their final Group C match against Italy on Monday at the same Eden Gardens stadium will see England safely into the next round.

After bowling Scotland out for 152, England racked up 155-5 in 18.2 overs, with Jacob Bethell scoring 32, Sam Curran 28 and Will Jacks (16 off 10 balls) hitting a six and a four to finish the job.

England wobbled at the start of their chase as the new white ball swung under the floodlights with the sun going down.

Phil Salt fell third ball to Brandon McMullen for just two and when Jos Buttler picked out McMullen off Brad Currie, they were 13-2.

Scotland bowled tightly until Bethell broke the shackles by hitting McMullen for a six and two fours in the fifth over.

Spinner Mark Watt also came in for some punishment, conceding 22 off his first over as Banton took him for three huge sixes.

A 66-run partnership ended when the left-handed Bethell, on 32, helped a leg-side delivery from Oliver Davidson into the grateful hands of Brad Wheal at short fine leg.

Captain Brook did not last long, scooping Michael Leask over his shoulder to Wheal to make it 86-4, but England were always in control and got home with 10 balls to spare.

Earlier, England’s bowlers found their mojo and vindicated Brook’s decision to field on winning the toss.

After being smacked to all parts of Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in conceding 196 to the West Indies on Wednesday, England’s attack exerted much more control at Eden Gardens.

Captain Richie Berrington top-scored for Scotland with 49 off 32 balls with five fours and two sixes.

He and Tom Bruce put on 71 for the fourth wicket, but it was their only notable partnership.

Spinner Liam Dawson ended it in the 13th over when Bruce was caught for 24, Curran providing the safe hands at deep square leg.

When Adil Rashid trapped Berrington lbw in the next over, Scotland collapsed, losing their last seven wickets for 39 runs from 113-3.

Jofra Archer had been expensive in the two previous outings but made the early breakthroughs before finishing with a brilliant 2-24 off his four overs.

In his second over, he hurried George Munsey into top-edging to Banton and two balls later had McMullen caught by Salt in the deep.

Michael Jones (33) holed out to Bethell off Curran, and Scotland were 42-3 at the end of the six-over power play and never threatened a competitive total.

Rashid was the best of the England bowlers with 3-36 from his four overs, while Dawson took 2-34.

Two weeks ago, 12 miles from Twickenham, Scotland parked coaches on very English lawns.

In the stately surroundings of RGS Surrey Hills school in Dorking, a group of Under-16 and Under-18 prospects ran through drills under the eyes of staff from Scottish Rugby’s SQ (Scottish Qualified) programme.

The scheme is designed to establish connections with youngsters who, like Ashman, Rodd and many others, live and play outside of Scotland, but could one day represent its senior sides.

The SQ programme’s coaches, which include English-born former Scotland international Peter Walton, act on tip-offs from schools and clubs.

They also set up a recruiting station at high-level age-grade rugby events, inviting those with the ancestry and interest to scan a QR code and enter their details.

All countries work to maximise their talent pool.

England are keen to ensure that Under-20 Rugby World Cup winner Junior Kpoku, who plays for Toulon and could become available to France, will go on to wear white at senior level.

South African-born centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg will soon be eligible for England on residence grounds after the Rugby Football Union successfully asked for a review of his tie to the Springboks.

But for nations with a smaller talent pool – Scotland has about 50,000 club players, compared to England’s 880,000 – there is a higher premium on making sure a particular promising youngster chooses to represent them.

What are the factors that come into a player’s decision?

First and foremost, there is national pride.

Ashman said that back in 2021, he explained “quite bluntly” to England’s coaches that he wanted to play for Scotland.

Sometimes, however, players can be torn between different parts of their identity.

Flanker Gary Graham, the son of former Scotland prop George Graham, grew up in Carlisle. He attended a training camp with England and, perhaps in an effort to wind up his father in a joint interview, told the Daily Mail in February 2018, external that he “feels more English than Scottish”.

Within a year later, having not played for England, he made his debut for Scotland, assuring fans that he has “always wanted to play for his country”.

The ‘proud of the effort’ mantra from Townsend is the biggest red rag to the biggest Scottish bull.

The scale of the failure was epic, not so much because they lost – because this was always going to be a tight game against a fine Italy team – but in the way they lost.

Their lack of aggression and intent from the start, their defensive disorganisation for Italy’s tries, the terrible weaknesses in their lineout (while Italy were nailing most of theirs), the self-harming bouts of indiscipline at critical times, their inability to problem-solve on the move.

Italy were missing some key players. Scotland were missing no-one.

When it came to coaching nous and player execution, Italy had a little too much of both.

They inflicted a soul-destroying defeat on Scotland, but, in many senses, Scotland did it to themselves. A recurring theme, that.

The feeling of fury in the aftermath is unprecedented since Andy Robinson’s team lost to Tonga in 2013 and Matt Williams’ team lost to, well, pretty much everybody in his slapstick years in charge.

A campaign over after just one game? Maybe premature, but you can’t fault anybody for thinking it.

England will expect an angry Scottish reaction on Saturday. Some of the visitors, hard-bitten by recent experience, will know that there’s fire and brimstone coming their way.

The home fans in vast numbers are now dead against Townsend remaining as coach, but come kick-off time in Edinburgh, you won’t know it. The place will be electrified.

Could you discount a Scotland upset? No. Would you bet on it? No, again.

At Murrayfield, the decision-makers are sitting in silence, apparently still confident that improvement will come if they just hold their nerve.

As a reminder, Townsend took over in 2017. He’s nearly 100 games in. This is his ninth Six Nations. Scotland have never contended.

His future is being talked about, but not by the people who might determine it. Not yet.

That might come later, depending on what happens in the weeks ahead – ‘might’ being the operative word – but for now there is a Calcutta Cup to deal with and a world of questions for Townsend to answer.

Fair play to Scottish Rugby – not words you often hear, it’s true. Fair play to them for their enthusiasm in putting players and coaches in front of cameras and around tables, fair play for all the access and all the opportunity to pick brains before the Six Nations. If the championship was decided on such things, the Scots would be contenders. Favourites, possibly.

The other week we had six different players put in front of us on a loop on the same afternoon. Radio, television, social media, newspapers, podcasts. They did the lot, with a smile. But…

Everybody’s bored of an unchanging narrative. The players have had it up their tonsils with the fighting talk, knowing that only deeds and not words are going to get the job done, beginning in Rome on Saturday.

There are some wonderful communicators in this Scotland team but, in the politest sense, they’re fed up communicating and are just desperate to start delivering. They can’t say they’re going to deliver, of course, because they’ve never delivered. They think they’re capable, but they haven’t proven it. They’re all in a rugby no-man’s land.

These past weeks, in their search for truth, they’ve walked the line between self-belief and self-criticism. They know that, in part, they can be brilliant and, in other part, they can be brutal. They can dominate chunks of a game with their excellence and then contrive to lose that same game with their mental wobbles.

To hear them engaging in psychoanalysis you could be forgiven for thinking that they’ve spent as much prep-time for Rome in therapy as they have on the training ground. These are fine players, almost in pain with the frustration of not being able to kick on with their country as most of them are doing with their clubs.

From the outside, it would be understandable if you thought Scotland are fancying their chances this year, what with Glasgow Warriors tearing it up in the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup. There are nine Warriors in the starting line-up against Italy and another five on the bench.

Understandable, but ignorant of the way things are. The fatalism, the quarter of a century of not contending, the grinding down of expectation. Hope lives – as it must – but there isn’t a more realistic bunch of supporters in this tournament than the Scots. When they hear outsiders describing them as bullish they tend to wonder what planet these people are living on.

The backdrop to this Six Nations is anger over head coach Gregor Townsend and his inability to take the team forward. This is his ninth campaign. On his watch, Scotland have finished fifth once, fourth on five occasions (including the past two) and third twice. He’s won 19 out of 40 Tests.

IF you want a holiday rental with a difference – check out these five rail-inspired stays around the country.

From converted Pullman carriages to upgraded former stations – these cosy stays are perfect for train enthusiasts.

The Old Station

In West Sussex is a B&B called The Old Station which has Pullman carriages and the opportunity to dine on a disused platform.

The Old Station is on what was formerly Petworth Railway Station and guests can choose whether to stay in the house or one of the renovated carriages.

Inside the Station House, guests can stay in the Lower Room with an ensuite and large walk in shower and super king size bed.

Up the spiral staircase is the largest bedroom with a super king size bed and an ensuite with room for three guests.

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

Outside are traditional Pullman carriages, and six Standard Classic Pullman Rooms – each is fitted with a double bed with a table and chairs for dining and an ensuite.

The B&B serves up hot breakfast and continental in the Waiting Room, or outside on the platform by the exotic garden in good weather.

With Host Unusual, guests can book from £130 per night.

High Cross Camping Coach and Living Van

Tucked away in the Dorset countryside is this charming Victorian railway carriage called the Camping Coach.

The carriage has been completely transformed with modern touches but has original leather window straps and luggage racks overhead.

The main living area is heated by a wood burner and is fitted out with a small dining table and plush sofa.

It also has a compact kitchen, bathroom and snug bedroom that can sleep up to two people.

Outside is a private garden and the Edwardian Living Van which also sleeps two.

With Host Unusual, up to four guests can stay for £90 per night – which is £22.50 per person.

The Signal Box

This Signal Box that once perched at Wymondham Station is now a rural haven in the Norfolk countryside.

The rail retreat is found in Melton Constable and inside it has a kitchen and cosy living on the upper floor – it’s surrounded by windows and incredible views.

Downstairs is the double bedroom with an en-suite shower room.

During the summertime, step outside to enjoy quiet by the pond or even fire up the barbecue.

One holidaygoer left a review and said: “The Signal Box was a wonderfully quirky place to stay, we loved every part of it.

“It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop & the views were amazing, everything you could wish for to have a quiet relaxing holiday.”

The Signal Box sleeps two with a seven-night stay starting from £538.

The Carriage at Creagan

This holiday home was once a working train carriage that transported milk along the GWR Line.

Now, it’s tucked between Oban and Fort William at Creagan, an Edwardian station that closed in 1966.

Inside the carriage is a cosy bedroom with wooden panelling, as well as an open kitchen and living space with a squishy sofa, Smart TV, and a warming wood-burning stove.

Outside on the patio is a table and chairs, large gas fire pit and even an outdoor path.

Nearby there’s plenty of activities to do from walking, cycling, watersports and wildlife-watching.

You can book a stay at the Carriage at Creagan from £200 per night.

Harvey of Hayle

Just a short stop from St Ives is this converted vintage railway coach called Harvey of Hayle.

It’s been described as a ‘time capsule’ with vintage décor and objects from the 1950s like lampshades, luggage racks and signs.

Harvey of Hayle has even appeared on Great British Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo.

Next door is a signal box playhouse – for the kids to exert as much energy as they like, and a wooden deck for watching sunsets.

For the trainspotters in the group, there’s even a viewing platform so you can see more locomotives on the Cornish main line.

St Ives is just one stop away on the train, meanwhile Hayle Town and its beautiful beach is a short walk from the carriage.

The carriage can sleep up to six guests and costs up to £693 (based on a seven-night off-peak stay).

For more on station stays here’s one that is one of Tripadvisor’s best has Pullman carriages and breakfast delivered to your bed.

Plus, five abandoned train stations that are now beautiful hotels with bedroom carriages and huge grand lobbies.

Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham – the top two try-scorers in Scotland history – as well as British and Irish Lions Test full-back Blair Kinghorn have been left out of the side for the Six Nations opener against Italy.

Coach Gregor Townsend has opted for a back three of Bristol’s Tom Jordan at full-back flanked by Glasgow Warriors wingers Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie – who will make his first start in a Six Nations game – for Saturday’s game in Rome.

Graham is among the replacements but Van der Merwe and Kinghorn are not even in the matchday 23, with stand-off Adam Hastings and scrum-half George Horne the other backs cover.

Other than the shock omissions of three 2025 Lions tourists, Townsend’s selection for Scotland’s first game of the championship is otherwise predictable.

Grant Gilchrist, 35, has beaten off the challenges of the more youthful Gregor Brown and Max Williamson to partner Scott Cummings, who missed last year’s championship through injury, in the second row.

Matt Fagerson, vice-captain Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey form an all-Glasgow back row, with versatile Warriors forward Brown also covering the breakaway unit.

Ewan Ashman, Scotland’s leading try-scoring forward, gets the nod at hooker ahead of George Turner and will have Lions props Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson either side of him.

Ben White partners vice-captain Finn Russell at half-back despite strong claims from in-form Horne.

The midfield is the familiar pairing of Huw Jones and captain Sione Tuipulotu – the 18th Test match the pair have played together.

Scotland booked their place at the Women’s T20 World Cup with a comfortable 41-run win over the United States in the final Super Six qualification game in Nepal.

With the top four going through, the Scots finished third to join Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands at the tournament which is being held in England from 12 June.

Opener Darcey Carter hit 52 as Scotland posted a 178-8 total, with Ailsa Lister adding 43 and Priyanaz Chatterji making 39.

Tara Norris took three wickets for the US, including a rare golden duck for Kathyrn Bryce.

The Scottish skipper shook off the disappointment by removing opener Disha Dhingra in the first over of the Americans’ reply.

Bryce later bowled out Isani Vaghela, with Chloe Abel also taking two wickets as Chatterji wrapped up the contest with a brace in the 19th over.