Murrayfield Stadium witnessed a frustrating afternoon for England on , as they fell to a 31-20 defeat against Scotland in the 2026 Six Nations. While the result itself is a setback for Steve Borthwick’s side, the performance of winger Henry Arundell – and specifically, his disciplinary issues – has raised significant questions about his consistency at the Test level.
Arundell, who scored England’s opening try, ultimately found himself red-carded after receiving two yellow cards during the first half. The first yellow card came for hands in the ruck, a relatively common penalty. However, the second, and ultimately more damaging, was for a dangerous tackle following a misread of a kick. The incident involved a collision with Scotland’s Kyle Steyn, and the subsequent review by the referee led to the red card, leaving England a man down for a crucial 30 minutes.
The red card exposed vulnerabilities England had reportedly feared in Arundell’s game, particularly his defensive positioning and decision-making under pressure. Borthwick had previously shown a degree of caution regarding Arundell, giving him limited playing time upon his return from a stint in French rugby this season – just one substitute appearance during the autumn Tests. His inclusion in the starting lineup for this Six Nations match was largely due to an injury to Manny Feyi-Waboso, presenting an opportunity Arundell ultimately failed to fully capitalize on.
The 23-year-old’s path to prominence has been relatively swift. Born on , in Cyprus, Arundell’s upbringing was shaped by his parents’ military careers. His mother was a nurse in the military, and his father a colonel in the Rifles, leading to a nomadic childhood that included stints in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, and America. He credits his parents as the biggest influence on his career.
Arundell began playing rugby at the age of seven for Trowbridge RFC, initially experimenting with various positions before settling into the back three. He joined the London Irish Academy at 14 while attending Harrow School, making his senior debut for the club in the Premiership Rugby Cup in November 2021. His breakthrough season came in 2021-22, marked by spectacular long-range tries that earned him the Premiership’s Discovery of the Season award.
His talent was quickly recognized at the international level, earning him a place in England’s U20 squad where he scored four tries in three matches during the 2022 Six Nations. He was also capped at the U18 level. Despite being eligible to represent Scotland and Wales through his family heritage, Arundell chose to represent England, making his Test debut in July 2022 during the tour to Australia.
Remarkably, Arundell marked his international debut with a try, showcasing his explosive pace and finishing ability. He burst through two Wallaby defenders and evaded further challenges to score in the closing minutes of the first Test in Perth. This initial impact fueled expectations for his future contributions.
Following his time with London Irish, Arundell briefly moved to Racing 92 in France before returning to England to join Bath Rugby. He continued to demonstrate his try-scoring prowess, but the defensive lapses highlighted against Scotland suggest a need for greater consistency and discipline.
Arundell’s early rugby heroes included Rugby World Cup winners Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson, as well as former All Blacks full-back Christian Cullen, players renowned for their attacking flair and skill. However, the incident at Murrayfield underscores the importance of a well-rounded game, particularly at the highest level of international rugby.
The red card against Scotland is a significant setback for Arundell, and his ability to respond will be crucial. Borthwick’s faith in the young winger had appeared limited, particularly during the last World Cup cycle when he was largely overlooked. Now, facing scrutiny over his defensive capabilities, Arundell must demonstrate a commitment to improving this aspect of his game if he hopes to cement his place in the England squad.
The defeat to Scotland extends England’s poor run in Calcutta Cup matches to six losses and a draw in the last nine encounters. While the team’s overall performance was disappointing, Arundell’s disciplinary issues undoubtedly compounded the problems, leaving Borthwick with much to ponder as the Six Nations campaign progresses.
