'We knew their heads would go down'

Scotland's matchwinner Duncan Hodge savoured yesterday's momentous Calcutta Cup victory over England at Murrayfield and denied that the weather was his side's secret weapon.

Hodge scored all Scotland's points with four penalties and the late try which ensured the Scots would taste their first triumph over the Auld Enemy since 1990.

"The weather was a factor - for both sides," said the 25-year-old Edinburgh Reivers stand-off. "But it didn't aid us that's for sure. We wanted to play to a different game plan but the weather curtailed that. I can't remember too much about my try. I think Scott Murray took the ball in and it just squirted out. I was lucky enough to be there half a yard out and just slid over the line."

The Scotland centre Gregor Townsend said: "It wasn't my best win in a Scottish jersey but one of the most satisfying because we haven't beaten them for so long. We knew we were capable of playing with them, especially up front, and we got a couple of breaks which we haven't had before. It is the first time I have beaten England."

Scotland's replacement prop Gordon McIlwham said he could see from an early stage that all was not well in the England camp. "Even at half-time they were arguing with the touch judges and arguing with themselves. We knew their heads would go down if we could get on top of them."