Rugby union: Scotland’s morale-boosting victory over the Wallabies
England also confident after dismantling Tonga 69-3

Scotland were one of the surprise packages of this year’s Six Nations, beating both England and France away from home, said Alasdair Reid in The Times. And on Sunday, Gregor Townsend’s side proved those wins “were no flashes in the pan” by battling to a 15-13 victory against Australia.
The match was too error-strewn to be a classic, said Michael Aylwin in The Guardian, but it contained plenty of drama. Scotland’s two debutants, hooker Ewan Ashman and flanker Josh Bayliss, were especially impressive, said Richard Bath in The Daily Telegraph. Indeed, 21- year-old Ashman – called into action in the tenth minute – was responsible for the afternoon’s stand-out moment: a wonderful, twisting try in the corner to give his team a crucial lead in the second half.
His performance personified Scotland’s overall effort: “assured, confident, and doggedly hanging in there when things got tough”. The team can’t rest on their laurels, as they now face world champions South Africa. But after that morale-boosting victory over the Wallabies, they’ll approach even that “daunting prospect” with confidence.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
England, who meet Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, will also be confident, said Robert Kitson in The Guardian. Last week they dismantled Tonga 69-3, their standout performer being another young substitute: 22-year-old Harlequin fly-half Marcus Smith, who came on for the final 28 minutes and scored one of his team’s 11 tries. Smith has long been talked of as a once-in-a-generation talent: some refer to him as the “brightest young thing since Jonny Wilkinson”.
The only thing holding him back from a regular starting place seems to be Eddie Jones’s well-known cautiousness about blooding young players. England’s coach needs to get over this reluctance: “Marcus Smith simply must play at No. 10 against Australia this week, full stop.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 22, 2025
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - Earth Day, pollen season, and more
By The Week US
-
Wine-tasting in Tuscany
The Week Recommends From biodynamic vineyards to historic cellars, the picturesque region is a wine lover's dream
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK
-
Ukraine-Russia: is peace deal possible after Easter truce?
Today's Big Question 'Decisive week' will tell if Putin's surprise move was cynical PR stunt or genuine step towards ending war
By The Week UK
-
The Masters: Rory McIlroy finally banishes his demons
In the Spotlight McIlroy's grand slam triumph will go down as 'one of the greatest and most courageous victories in the history of golf'
By The Week UK
-
George Foreman: The boxing champ who reinvented home grills
Feature He helped define boxing’s golden era
By The Week US
-
Why Jannik Sinner's ban has divided the tennis world
In the Spotlight The timing of the suspension handed down to the world's best male tennis player has been met with scepticism
By The Week UK
-
When 'a kiss is not a kiss': Spanish football on trial
Talking Point Luis Rubiales faces up to two-and-a-half years in jail if convicted of sexually assaulting footballer Jenni Hermoso
By The Week UK
-
Denis Law obituary: fond farewell to 'the King of the Stretford End'
In the Spotlight Scottish footballer who was one of Manchester United's 'Holy Trinity' has died aged 84
By The Week UK
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK
-
Dignity in defeat
Opinion Chicago White Sox players during a baseball game in Detroit, Michigan
By Theunis Bates