England have lost the Calcutta Cup to Scotland in a dramatic end to the first match of the Six Nations rugby tournament.

The auld enemies battled to a close 20-17 victory for Scotland in damp conditions in Edinburgh, though England seemed the likely winners until the final quarter.

Thousands of rugby fans turned up for the match at Murrayfield for the first time since Scotland lifted its COVID-19 restrictions.

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The new England captain Tom Curry – who replaced Owen Farrell due to injury – described the loss as an “up, down, up, down” game and said the team needed to reflect and do better.

Meanwhile Wales, who won the championship last year, were thrashed 29-7 by a resurgent Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Ireland go top of the table with an extra point after scoring four tries.

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France will play their opener at home to Italy in the State de France on Sunday in the Giuseppe Garibaldi rivalry trophy.

The home side will be without their head coach Fabien Galthie who is isolating due to COVID-19. Raphael Ibanez will take charge in his absence.

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