The Scots celebrate their victory at Twickenham, England, and celebrate with the Calcutta Cup, which has been played between England and Scotland since 1883. Photo: dpa

Heidelberg. (CPB) The first day of the six-nation tournament of Europe’s major rugby teams brought a big surprise. Because defending champions and vice-world champions England had to concede the better Scots defeat at Twenheim in points with 6:11 (6: 8).

1926, 1938, 1971, 1983 and 2021 – In the 150-year international history of both neighbors, Scotland has won only five times at the “Home of Rugby” in south-west London; Cheers from the Scots were similarly overbearing, just stupid that the rugby pubs at home were closed due to the coronovirus epidemic and not allowed to be in the stadium to commemorate the sensation.

At the beginning of the tournament, particularly strict sanitation rules were implemented in the three stadiums. The players sang the national anthem with a good two-meter safety distance, then gasped for about 80 minutes and rubbed sweat on their faces over the head. Funny too: There wasn’t really a single act around the Scots, which have been played every year since 1883 Calcutta Cup To hand over, this is why Captain Stuart Hogg simply snatched the glittering silver jug ​​from the honor table…

The British sincerely congratulated him. Asked why his team finished fourth last year, coach Eddie Jones replied: “Because I obviously couldn’t prepare the team well.” Sir Clive Woodward, who won England the world title in 2003, said Scotland had “not only a lot of authority, but also an impeccable defense”. So the host team scored just two penalties by their captain Owen Farrell (Sarkens RFC London) is. The Scots were also awarded two penalties by Finn Russell (Racing 92 Paris), but the difference between victory and defeat was made by 25-year-old South African Doulan van der Merwe at the left wing position, who was only in the 30th minute. An attempt was made to balance the game across the goal line.

In the opening game of the tournament, last year’s second France performed a rugby fireworks display at the Olympic Stadium in Rome and did not beat all the bad Italians with 10:50 (3:24). At the nearly deserted stadium, where about 50 men in yellow robes patrol the empty plastic seats, the team of two coaches Fabin Galthey and Rafael Ibáñez have Dylan Cretin (Leon), Gayle Fickau, Teddy Thomas (both of Stade Fried Paris) Made seven attempts by. ), Arthur Vincent (Montpellier), Bryce Dulin (La Rochelle) and Antoine DuPont, the illustrious crush of Toulouse, who was voted “Player of the Day”. Bordeaux playwright Matthew Jalibert achieved the target with six runs and a penalty. Luca Sperandio of Treviso scored a try for Italy and Paolo Garbisi, playing for 20-year-old Venetian Treviso, had an up and penalty kick.

After Sunday’s game, in which Wales celebrated a tough 18:13 (6:13) victory over Ireland, the Scots and French are also in the running for the Grand Slam. He scored two tries by George North (Laanelli Scarlets) and Luis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester RFC), and Leigh Halfpenny (Laanelli) kicked up the middle of the goal post and kicked three penalties. Ireland made an effort with three penalties, picked up by Todd Beirne (Munster), Johnny Sexton (Leinster). The Irish weakened themselves as Peter O’Mahony (Presentation College Brey & Munster) received a red card after 14 minutes for a rough game.