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Scotland Enjoys Flawless Day in Stunning Performance

According to Tom English, Scotland delivered a performance that was quintessentially them, full of thrilling moments and unpredictable twists, making for a thoroughly captivating display.

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Townsend reflects on Scotland's decisive win over England.

In the aftermath of Scotland's resounding victory, captain Sione Tuipulotu discussed the team's traumatic experience following their loss in Rome the previous week, describing it as a painful ordeal that now feels like a distant memory.

Tuipulotu revealed that he had never felt such intense hurt after a game as he did after the Italy match, and that he had internalized the pain before unleashing it on England.

The Scotland captain's words suggested a sense of introspection and emotional release, as if he had worked through his feelings and emerged stronger on the other side.

Meanwhile, coach Gregor Townsend chose his words carefully, avoiding any temptation to criticize his detractors or gloat over the win.

Townsend's stoic demeanor belied the significance of the victory, giving no hint of the satisfaction he must have felt at proving his critics wrong.

The past week had been particularly challenging for Townsend, but the win over England provided a measure of redemption, at least for the time being, and reinforced his belief in the team's potential.

However, the question remains whether Scotland can replicate this level of intensity and performance when the stakes are lower and the opposition is less formidable.

With the Rome debacle still fresh in their minds, Scotland were able to channel their emotions into a dominant display against England, but the challenge now is to find similar motivation for their upcoming match against Wales in Cardiff.

The next test for Scotland is just around the corner, and it's another must-win encounter.

Scotland's victory was a testament to the team's resilience and Townsend's leadership, with Tuipulotu playing a key role in the win.

England's error-prone performance ultimately cost them the game, as they failed to live up to their reputation in the oldest Test match at Murrayfield.

Scotland's stunning Calcutta Cup win was a resounding statement of their capabilities, as they swept aside a lackluster England team.

However, the victory came at a cost, with three key players – Jack Dempsey, Jamie Ritchie, and Jamie Dobie – ruled out of the upcoming match against Wales due to injury.

The loss of these players is a significant blow, but Townsend has faith in his backup options and is confident that the team can build on their momentum and secure another win.

The pressure has now shifted to England, who must confront their own doubts and concerns after a disappointing performance.

A pertinent question for England is why they consistently struggle to match Scotland's intensity and passion, and whether it's time for them to re-examine their own approach.

Tuipulotu had spoken about his team's desperation to prove themselves against England, and they delivered a dominant performance that exceeded expectations.

The win was a masterclass in controlled aggression, with Scotland combining skill, intelligence, and ruthlessness to devastating effect.

The match was notable for its individual performances, with every Scotland player contributing to the team's success, both in attack and defense.

The team's collective effort was a testament to their character and determination, as they stood up for themselves, their coach, and their supporters.

The latest podcast episode discusses Scotland's impressive win and their resurgence in the Calcutta Cup.

One of the most striking aspects of the match was the sense of surrealism that pervaded the occasion, with Scotland's dominance defying expectations.

The fact that Scotland had secured a bonus point and were 18 points clear of England was a remarkable turnaround, given the pre-match predictions.

What was particularly noteworthy, however, was the absence of Scotland's traditional weaknesses, both on and off the pitch, which allowed them to maintain their composure and secure the win.

In recent seasons, Scotland have often been prone to mental lapses and conceding big leads, but on this occasion, they showed a newfound resilience and focus.

The lack of anxiety and self-doubt that often accompanies Scotland's performances was a welcome change, replaced by a sense of confidence and conviction.

England's attempts to mount a comeback were met with a fierce resistance from Scotland, who demonstrated a perfect balance of ambition and pragmatism.

The combination of Finn Russell's creative genius and the team's collective ferocity proved unbeatable, as they delivered a performance that was both exhilarating and entertaining.

Scotland's psychology is a fascinating topic, with the team's unpredictability and tendency to defy expectations making them a captivating and often bewildering spectacle to watch.

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Democrats Seek to Calm European Allies Ahead of Trump’s Potential 3-Year Tenure

In Munich, a gathering of opposition politicians took place, where they presented an alternative to the America First policy and positioned themselves as potential future leaders of their parties.

At the Munich Security Summit, all eyes were on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as European leaders anxiously awaited his address on Saturday, seeking clarity on the tone he would adopt.

California Governor Gavin Newsom in a royal blue suit and black tie speaks at a conference while holding a microphone and gesturing with his other hand — Gavin Newsom, Democratic governor of California, told attendees that "Donald Trump is temporary"

Although his speech did not entirely alleviate their concerns, it was perceived as a reassuring message to allies that despite potential strain in US relations under Donald Trump, they would not be severed.

Rubio was not the sole American voice at the security summit, as other prominent figures also made their presence known.

Even if Rubio's remarks had been less well-received, with sharp criticism of Europeans similar to those made by Vice-President JD Vance at the previous year's conference, other American politicians were on hand to offer a more conciliatory tone, echoing the Persian poet's wisdom that difficult times are transient.

California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke at a conference event on Friday, emphasizing that Donald Trump's presidency is temporary, stating, "He'll be gone in three years."

Newsom was among dozens of American legislators and governors in attendance, including some Democrats who may potentially vie for the party's 2028 presidential nomination.

Many of these individuals stressed that the US would maintain its strong partnership with Europe, reiterating sentiments similar to those expressed by Rubio, albeit without his critique of cultural decline on the continent.

Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, wearing a dark suit and with her hair tied back, holds a microphone in one hand and gestures with an open palm with the other in front of a crowd of seated people — New York Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was one of the biggest attractions at the conference

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire stated, "The reason we're here is to provide reassurance that we understand how important our European allies are."

Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican, echoed this sentiment, noting that the US and Europe are not engaged in a "civil war" and cautioning American allies against becoming mired in the rhetoric of domestic politics.

This has proven challenging in recent times, given Trump's imposition of steep tariffs on numerous US trading partners and his expressed desire, along with some of his top aides, to reshape the global order, harness American military power, and refocus US foreign policy on the western hemisphere.

One notable example of this shift in American outlook is Trump's repeated expressions of interest in purchasing Greenland, which he reiterated before departing for a weekend in Florida on Friday.

Trump's propensity for pushing boundaries and testing the limits of his authority has not been confined to foreign policy, prompting several Democrats to address domestic concerns during the Munich conference.

Virginia Senator Mark Warner warned that Trump's discussions of nationalizing elections and implementing strict voter identification requirements via executive order jeopardize the freedom and fairness of the upcoming November midterm congressional elections.

Warner expressed his dismay, stating, "I never thought I would say that in 2026 America."

Trump has defended his efforts, including the proposed SAVE act, which would introduce a national voter identification requirement through legislative means, citing their popularity among a significant majority of Americans and the need to prevent voter impersonation.

Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, who recently faced an unsuccessful indictment attempt by the Department of Justice related to a video urging US soldiers to disregard "illegal" orders, commented on being in the administration's spotlight.

Slotkin observed that America is "going through something profound" and expressed optimism, saying, "We'll get through it."

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was a major draw at the conference, aside from Rubio, and highlighted the connection between growing wealth inequality, a key focus of her domestic policy agenda since her 2018 congressional victory, and the rise of authoritarian governments.

Senator Mark Kelly, in a dark blue suit and patterned tie, smiles and turns toward the camera in front of a group of people — Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona spoke at the Munich Security Conference

Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the urgent need for western democracies to address economic disparities and deliver tangible benefits to the working class, warning that failure to do so would lead to a more isolated world dominated by authoritarian regimes that similarly neglect the needs of working people.

Ocasio-Cortez's perspective on the necessity for western democracies to provide a compelling alternative to authoritarian governments aligns with views expressed by Joe Biden during his presidency, albeit from a different wing of the Democratic Party.

In contrast, Trump's "America First" foreign policy and emphasis on preserving Western culture present a distinct worldview, one that resonated with a plurality of Americans who voted to return him to the White House in 2024, setting the stage for a tumultuous year that included Vance's confrontational Munich speech.

While Rubio has sought to mitigate some of the tensions, the Democrats attending the Munich conference aimed to provide a more distinct counterpoint to Trump's vision.

Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego noted, "Right now, Europe just wants us to be better, right? And I think this has been a very good conference to reassure nerves." He added, "Sometimes you have to remind them that this is not all Trump … We're still here."

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Highlights from the FA Cup fourth-round matches are presented by Alex Scott.

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Bhatia takes lead at Pebble Beach with strong birdie streak

At the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Akshay Bhatia is ahead by two strokes following the third round, while Collin Morikawa, also from the United States, has moved into the running after carding a 62.

Despite challenging weather conditions, Akshay Bhatia managed to capitalize on the situation and is now in the lead heading into the final day of competition.

The current standings for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am after round three are as follows:

The leaderboard shows Akshay Bhatia (US) at 19 under, followed by Collin Morikawa (US), Jake Knapp (US), and Sepp Straka (Aut) at 17 under, with Joseph Bridgeman (US) at 16 under, and Hideki Matsuyama (Jap) at 15 under, while Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Min Woo Lee (Aus), and Sam Burns (US), as well as Matthew McNealy, are all at 14 under.

Other notable players include Xander Schauffele (US) and Jordan Speith (US) at 13 under, and Rory McIlroy (NI) and Justin Rose (Eng) at 9 under.

Akshay Bhatia has taken a two-stroke lead after the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, with Collin Morikawa making a significant move up the leaderboard with a 62, putting him in contention for his first win in nearly two and a half years.

Bhatia, who was previously tied for first place with Ryo Hisatsune at 15 under, made a strong start with six birdies in his first seven holes, giving him a lead of as many as five strokes at one point.

However, the blustery conditions in California took their toll, and a bogey at the 17th hole reduced Bhatia's advantage to two strokes.

The strong gusts also slowed down play on the final green, and Bhatia ultimately carded a 68, leaving him at 19 under par.

Morikawa's impressive 10-under-par round propelled him to second place, tied with Jake Knapp, who scored an eagle on the last hole, having also achieved an eagle on the first, to finish with a 66.

Sepp Straka also joined the tie for second place with a round of 67, making it a three-way contest.

Meanwhile, defending champion Rory McIlroy, who started the day six strokes behind, saw his chances diminish further after carding an even par 72, leaving him 10 strokes off the lead.

Due to the forecast of heavy rain and strong winds for Sunday, the start times for the final round have been adjusted, with the tournament now scheduled to begin between 07:22 and 09:45 local time, using split tees and threesomes.

As a result, the final round will get underway earlier than initially planned, with the hopes of minimizing the impact of the inclement weather on the competition.