1990 - Scotland’s third Grand Slam win

17 March 1990, Murrayfield: the stage is set for a climatic end to the Five Nations’ Championship with the Championship, Triple Crown and Calcutta Cup all to be decided by the outcome of the Scotland v England match.

The match was preceded by a media bombardment both sides of the border and tensions were running high, with the Scots believing the England squad saw the game as a foregone conclusion in favour of the red rose.

Captained by EAFC’s David Sole, rather than running out of the tunnel, Scotland walked out onto the Murrayfield pitch, making a strong psychological statement of intent. Having scraped a 13-10 win against Ireland in Dublin, the Scots went on to thrash France 21-0 at home but had another tight game against Wales in Cardiff, emerging the victors by only 13-9. On paper, they were undoubtedly the underdogs against England but their determination and the fervour of the Murrayfield crowd worked to their advantage.

With so much at stake, it was never going to be an especially free-flowing game. Scotland opened the scoring with two penalties, then came the only try of the first half, for England, and another Scottish penalty, taking the half-time score to 9-4.

Scotland came out on the attack in the second half and Tony Stanger scored the crucial try from a Gavin Hastings chip kick. The score was 13-4, leaving all the pressure on England who would have to score at least twice to secure even a draw. The Scots dug in and closed down any English attack, only allowing England to gain three more points from a penalty goal. As the final whistle went the score was 13-7 and the celebratory roar could be heard across the city.