Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Classic Encounters

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Classic Encounters - Scotland vs England, Calcutta Cup 1990

In the lead up to this weekend’s game we take a look back to the 1990 Five Nations decider at Murrayfield, a classic match that will be remembered as much for the upset on the field, as for the pride achieved off it.

It was a winner takes all encounter, as the Five Nations and Grand Slam were up for grabs, and the underdog Scots could sniff blood. It was a powerful England side and amidst the backdrop of political turmoil, there was a special feeling at Murrayfield.

Having beaten Ireland in a tight game in Dublin, Scotland then thrashed the French 21-0 in Edinburgh, before narrowly beating the Welsh 13-9 in Cardiff. This set up the Murrayfield decider against England, with the winners being in line to claim the Calcutta Cup, the Five Nations Championship, the Triple Crown, and of course, the Grand Slam.

The Scots used the perceived English arrogance to build up the hype leading into the game, as Will Carling and his troops appeared to believe they could just turn up and win. When David Sole led his team out onto the park with a now famous walk, it became all to clear that this was going to be no walkover for the favourites.

This documentary takes you through the emotions superbly, as we get to hear from some of those involved in the historic event, learn more about the political angst leading up to it, and get to watch as Scotland achieved one of their most famous victories.

The documentary is 28 minutes long and presented in two parts below. It’s well worth watching, even if you’re a neutral, as it’s a wonderful piece of rugby history. I hope you enjoy it.

Time: 28 mins total
Thanks to the BBC for the brilliant piece.

I'm a Scotsman, but not always the most patriotic. This show however gave me goosebumps. One of the great days in scottish sports.

By berko75, at March 10, 2011 9:48 pm
it might just be a chilly night in edinburgh but i had shivers watching this! might just not write my dissertation this weekend...

By Student, at March 10, 2011 10:16 pm
I am both a Scotsman and a serious rugby player. This makes me so proud. If only the boys were still a force to be reckoned with...

'mon Scotland!

By Anonymous, at March 10, 2011 10:22 pm
Haha i love how Chalmers has to make the tee for the conversion by kicking the ground and shaping it to hold the ball! I remember taking off a boot and kicking it out of that in the good old days! Might have just been because is was Zimbabwe though ;) Superb game and amazing atmosphere, ditto with berko75 GOOSEBUMPS!

By SpencaH, at March 10, 2011 10:26 pm
Triple Crown not Triple Crowd! :P

By Box, at March 10, 2011 10:32 pm
Box, bad typo. Thanks for pointing it out. :)

I'm glad some of you enjoyed it. Great docu.

By GMC, at March 10, 2011 10:42 pm
In the photo that looks like Jerry Guscott about to punch John Jefferies.

I don't think there's much question who wld have won that fight!!!

By Anonymous, at March 10, 2011 11:41 pm
Great post. Thank you!

By Anonymous, at March 11, 2011 3:36 am
Wonderful. Just wonderful.

And that's coming from an Englishman.

By Unknown, at March 11, 2011 3:39 am
I love the old school skills on display there. Dive passing scrummies, off-loading forwards, and backs who supported each in broken field plays.

The lineouts sure were a lot more interesting back before you were allowed to lift. It truly was a contest.

Look at the scrums when you weren't allowed to push before the ball came in or feed to your 8 man's feet. No need for the silly "crouch, touch, pick your nose, engage" routine, and they stayed up too!

Did anyone else notice how quickly the ball emerged from the rucks during that match? Oddly enough, speedy delivery tended to be the norm back when a hand in got stomped and lying around on the floor got you punished for your troubles. No need for the ref to trouble his whistle or squeek out instructions. Simple, and efficient.

Sigh, this might officially qualify me for entry to geezerhood, but the old days were better.

By Bobby Nations, at March 11, 2011 6:54 am
I love watching the English lose!

Have to say though Will Carling was a really great player back in the day. Even though he epitomises that arrogance that is mentioned in the documetary.

Any of you who wish to see Carling's arrogance punished in the most brilliant way, you will enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03gpzFZadcQ

By iheartseanobrien, at March 11, 2011 7:52 am
This comment has been removed by the author.

By Stuart Richards, at March 11, 2011 8:21 am
Thanks Rugby Dump - there is a lot to love about this video, but the best of all is hearing Bill McLaren's commentry.

He had the greatest turn of phrase - "It looked so inebriated as it went over". He also had a wonderful ability of staying neutral despite witnessing one of Scotland's greatest victories. I miss hearing his comentry, especially when we have to make do with Brian Moore and his ilk.

As a side note, I love it when arrogant teams lose, especially when it is the English!

By Wolfman, at March 11, 2011 8:45 am
That's match is the definition of rugby: nothin is done before you are on the pitch.
Favorite statut may exist before a match but willing do the rest.

Even if england are favorites on sunday, scotland should remember it

ps: hearing guys like Mc Laren or Couderc (France) give nostalgy of tv commentators who were passionate and fair for both teams. don't u moore and butler?

By Colombes, at March 11, 2011 10:51 am
Thoughts and prayers with the folks down south (southern hemisphere) just saw on google a tsunami alert. Goodluck and hope you guys aren't affected by it!

By Sam, at March 11, 2011 11:47 am
Thanks Sam, but its more a case of the NH being affected.
This silly N vs S is just ridiculous now.

By Anonymous, at March 11, 2011 12:37 pm
Tsunami's affect the North too, you muppett

By Anonymous, at March 11, 2011 12:37 pm
What a great doccie - really enjoyed that.

Not too many oil paintings in that Scottish forwards line-up during the anthem.

By katman, at March 11, 2011 1:19 pm
Some of the best defensive work ever seen on a rugby pitch. Trysavers, massive checks, brilliant control of loose ball, winning the ball against the head. It was sublime.

By wow-jiffy-lube, at March 11, 2011 1:55 pm
This is going to be perhaps controversial, but although professionalism has moved the game forward in many ways, I wonder if it has a lost a little passion?

As amateurs did the internationals perhaps mean more to the old players than the existing ones? I don't mean to say the current players don't care as much, for certainly there are many that do, but I wonder about some of the current players. It's hard to always have that passion about a career.

Can't think of too many David Sole's, Finlay Calder (hard hard man) these days........

By Anonymous, at March 11, 2011 2:27 pm
Jim Telfer and Ian McGeechan, you legends!

Filipe

By Anonymous, at March 11, 2011 2:30 pm
Great Docu

Com'on Scots Rise again this week end!

By Anonymous, at March 11, 2011 3:40 pm
Thoroughly enjoyed that documentary, cheers RD and the BBC. And I'm English.

Agree with the comment about the oil paintings during the Scottish national anthem. Love the camerawork too as the cameraman scans along the forwards, then suddenly realises that the next guy (scrum half?) is about a foot shorter and jerks his camera down!

By Phil, at March 11, 2011 9:31 pm
just curious, when did the line out with the lifting begin to catch on?

By Anonymous, at March 12, 2011 2:23 pm
God I hate Scotland! I just know they gonna put one over us again tomorrow!

By Anonymous, at March 12, 2011 8:17 pm