Townsend defends Russell after missed last-gasp conversion in England defeat

Gregor Townsend defended Finn Russell after his late failed conversion attempt cost Scotland an historic victory over England in the Six Nations.

The Scots were aiming to record a fifth straight win against their fierce rivals for the first time, but were beaten 16-15 at Allianz Stadium.

Ben White and Huw Jones went over in the opening 40 minutes – sandwiching Tommy Freeman's try – to give the visitors a 10-7 lead at half-time.

However, England turned things around with Marcus Smith kicking two penalties, while Fin Smith's thumping long-range kick put them 16-10 to the good.

It looked like Scotland would snatch a dramatic victory when Stafford McDowell's surge led to Duhan van der Merwe crossing in the corner.

Yet, Russell could not convert from a tight angle, as the hosts held out to reclaim the Calcutta Cup.

"Finn was a big part of us getting three tries. He has kicked a lot of very important points for us in the past," Townsend said.

"The reality is we didn't win and are likely now not going to win the championship. It's a performance we can build on over the next two rounds.

"I'm proud of how we played today. In the first half, our execution was very good, our contact work was outstanding.

"We created opportunities. We scored three tries and will look back and think we could have scored more. In a lot of ways, it was a better performance than we've had down here when we've won.

"England defended very well. They are very good in their own 22. Credit goes to them. With that amount of possession, we're normally good at converting into points. Today, we didn't do that often enough."

Leading from the front 🏆 pic.twitter.com/qKYlt36WDz

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 22, 2025

Meanwhile, England boss Steve Borthwick praised his players after they "found a way to win" to keep their championship hopes alive.

"Every game is important for England and you have to give Scotland credit, as they played a real smart game," he said. "They put pressure on you and, as soon as they get a chance, they move the ball wide quickly.

"This young group stayed in the fight, and they kept composure, and they kept running hard. They eventually found a way to win."

"The performance was a bit mixed," skipper Maro Itoje added. "Scotland played a lot in our half, and we didn't exit the way we wanted, but we did fight and scrap. There is loads for us to get better at, but we are delighted to win.

"In the first half and the second half, we probably didn't play as much as we wanted and Scotland probably played more than us, but we were more clinical than we have been.

"There is a feeling we are going to score, so we just need to find ways of being there more, and then we will execute more."