‘The greatest 11-6 battering any of us can recall’: On England v Scotland

In retrospect, the 1980s were a thoroughly misleading period in which to grow up as a supporter of Scotland’s rugby team. Those of us who did so enjoyed a gilded childhood without even knowing it. By the age of 16 those of us born in 1974 had seen Scotland win two Grand Slams (in 1984 and 1990) as well as claiming a share of the five nations championship in 1986 (a year that really ought to have brought a further clean sweep). We had no inkling of our good fortune and international rugby seemed improbably well-arranged. 

Most of the years since have been lean and hard, an over-correction that seems excessive. If the 1980s were unusually fat, the 21st century has been a largely miserable experience. Occasional bursts of sunshine have been evident but, overall, it has been an endless winter. 

And nowhere has been colder than Twickenham. Scottish rugby teams have been visiting Mordor on a biennial basis since 1911 and, until today, prevailed on precisely four occasions.