Gregor Townsend has defended fly-half Finn Russell after the former Falkirk ace squandered a last-gasp conversion for victory as Scotland’s four-year stranglehold on the Calcutta Cup ended with a 16-15 defeat to England.

Scotland will not lodge a complaint with the Six Nations over two controversial moments in their defeat to England, Telegraph Sport understands.

Gregor Townsend backed "outstanding goal-kicker" Finn Russell to remain in the role following his trio of costly conversion misses during Scotland's agonising 16-15 Six Nations defeat to England. Co-captain Russell squandered a last-gasp kick for victory at Allianz Stadium after Duhan van der Merwe's dramatic try put the Scots on the brink of extending their four-year stranglehold on the Calcutta Cup.