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31-0 to 38-38: Rugby world in shock over record comeback

George Ford rescued England with an 83rd-minute try to secure a 38-all draw with Scotland on Saturday, after the Scots had come from 31-0 down in one of the most remarkable games in Six Nations history.

In a contest that will live long in the memory England roared into the lead, showing no signs of disappointment that the title had already been claimed by Wales earlier in the day with their win over Ireland.

Jack Nowell grabbed the first try after 56 seconds and further scores by Tom Curry, Joe Launchbury and Jonny May put them 31-7 up at the break.

Stuart McInally scored a charge-down try in a rare bright moment for the visitors just before halftime and Scotland were unrecognisable in the second half.

The visitors scored four tries in 13 minutes – two for wing Darcy Graham and one each for Magnus Bradbury and man-of-the-match Finn Russell meant that after an hour they had come back from 31-0 down to level the scores.

Sam Johnson crosses to give Scotland the lead. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Sam Johnson crosses to give Scotland the lead. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Gregor Townsend’s men then looked to have snatched their first Twickenham win since 1983 when centre Sam Johnson blasted through four defenders to score in the 76th minute, only for replacement five-eigth Ford to find a way through under the posts at the death.

“Unfortunately it’s a recurring problem we’ve got,” England coach Eddie Jones said.

“At halftime we had control of the game, we probably should have been ahead by more.

“It’s not something you can fix easily but we know what the problem is… It’s going to take some digging deep into the team psyche but I think it’s a good lesson for us before the World Cup.”

England captain Owen Farrell, meanwhile, struggled to explain what had happened during the second half.

“It shocked us when they got a bit of momentum. We probably allowed them to play a bit too much. We got in a momentum rut and we couldn’t get out of it. It was probably more in our control than we thought.

George Ford snatched a 38-all draw. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
George Ford snatched a 38-all draw. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

“The halftime score was pleasing but Scotland were good in the second half. They played some good rugby and punished us.

“All we’ve got to do is learn and improve. We will have to look at ourselves a bit deeper and perhaps that’s a good thing.”

England finished second in the Six Nations standings on 18 points, five behind champions Wales. Scotland, who won only game, against Italy, finished second-last.

The one consolation for the Scots was that they retained the Calcutta Cup after their win in Edinburgh last year.