Springboks hand England fifth straight defeat, France down All Blacks, Sinner on fire
The Nations League took a back seat overnight, with the Autumn tests throwing up some thrilling encounters
We’re putting the round ball aside for a moment, and picking up and running with the egg-shaped one this morning, yes, it’s time for a little rugby.
The fare on offer proved too rich for British blood though, while those of an Antipodean persuasion finally found their eyes too big for their stomachs. If you’re just getting in from digestifs in Wan Chai, or pouring your morning coffee, here’s what happened overnight.
Graham’s record day
Darcy Graham equalled Duhan van der Merwe’s Scotland try-scoring record as the home side registered nine tries in a 59-21 win over Portugal at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Graham’s scored his 29th try, and there was a notable substitution in the 66th minute when 19-year-old Edinburgh back-rower Freddy Douglas came on to become Scotland’s youngest debutant since 1963, despite never having made a competitive appearance at club level.
“We’re pleased with the result,” coach Gregor Townsend told the BBC. “There’ll be areas where we can improve but credit to Portugal for being a tough opponent today. We had to work out what the defence was doing, and it worked our way. We worked hard, created extra numbers.”
Scotland host Australia next week in the final match of their November programme.
Kolbe at double
Two tries by wing Cheslin Kolbe helped South Africa to a 29-20 victory over England on Saturday, a fifth successive defeat for Steve Borthwick’s men.
