Tuipulotu's honest assessment following England scalp
REACTION: Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu didn’t hold back his emotions after a stunning 31-20 Six Nations win over England at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Tuipulotu said he was “beyond proud” after ending England’s Grand Slam hopes in the tournament.
The Dark Blues’ fifth win in six Calcutta Cup clashes saw them run in four tries for a bonus-point win to ease the pressure on beleaguered coach Gregor Townsend, a week on from their dire 15-18 loss away to Italy in their tournament opener.
Victory in the latest edition of rugby union’s oldest international fixture also gave Scotland their first win in eight attempts against a top-10-ranked nation.
“Beyond proud,” Tuipulotu told the BBC. “I’m proud of everyone involved.
“I see everything that goes on behind closed doors that everyone else doesn’t get to see.
“I stand by what I said during the week, and I’m happy we got behind our coach today and put in a performance we can be proud of.”
Article continues below…
Scotland ran in three tries to lead 24-10 at the break, with England effectively reduced to 14 men for 30 minutes of the match after Henry Arundell received two yellow cards – the wing’s second spell in the sinbin leading to a 20-minute red card.
Huw Jones’ second try, following a charge-down on England flyhalf George Ford in the 54th minute, put the result beyond doubt with fellow Scotland centre Tuipulotu saying: “The main message at half-time was to come out here and press them and we pressed them.”
Scotland, however, still has to finish higher than third in the Six Nations era, and Australia-born Tuipulotu is well aware of the need to back up this win away to struggling Wales next week.
“I want to enjoy tonight with my teammates, but make no mistak,e we’ll be all hands on deck,” he said.
Defeat ended England’s 12-match unbeaten run and scuppered their bid for a Grand Slam after their 48-7 rout of Wales at Twickenham.
England will try to revive their bid for a first Six Nations title since 2020 at home to Ireland next weekend.
“It was a tough day at the office, we didn’t get firing in the way we wanted to, but that is the nature of the beast,” said England captain Maro Itoje.
“We have to learn our lesson and move forward. We didn’t start well, we were not as accurate and precise as we wanted to do be, in the scrum especially, all of those areas need to be better.”
