England head coach Steve Borthwick has made one change to his starting lineup for this weekend’s pivotal Six Nations clash against Scotland at Twickenham. Lock Ollie Chessum will come into the engine room in place of George Martin as England aim to snap a four-match losing streak against their oldest rivals.
The rest of the England XV remains unchanged from the side that defeated France last time out. Marcus Smith continues at fullback with Fin Smith retaining the fly-half jersey after the pair’s promising combination play against Les Bleus. Vice-captain Tom Curry has been passed fit to start at blindside flanker.
Calcutta Cup on the Line
Saturday’s match has added significance as the winner will claim the Calcutta Cup, the trophy awarded to the victor of this annual cross-border clash since 1879. Scotland are the current holders, having defeated England in each of the past four meetings between the sides.
The Calcutta Cup is a special fixture, and we are determined to perform to our very best in front of our supporters at Allianz Stadium.
– Steve Borthwick, England head coach
Lineup Changes Examined
The promotion of Chessum to the starting lineup is Borthwick’s attempt to combat Scotland’s expected approach. The 6’7″ lock will provide additional lineout options and physicality to counter the aerial assault that is likely to come from the boot of Scottish maestro Finn Russell.
England’s back row combination of Curry, Ben Earl and Alex Dombrandt remains intact after an impressive outing last time against France. The trio will need to be at their disruptive best to slow down quick Scottish ball and provide front-foot attacking opportunities.
Hostile Twickenham Awaits
A full house of over 82,000 spectators is expected at Twickenham on Saturday, with England’s home support desperate to see their side reclaim the Calcutta Cup after a barren run in recent years. But an in-form and confident Scotland outfit will relish the challenge of silencing the partisan crowd.
These games against England are the ones you look forward to and the ones you’ll remember when your career is over. Going to Twickenham with the Calcutta Cup on the line is why you play rugby.
– Stuart Hogg, Scotland captain
Six Nations Implications
Both sides go into Saturday’s game with one win and one loss so far in this year’s Six Nations. The victors at Twickenham will keep themselves firmly in championship contention, while the losers will likely see their title aspirations extinguished.
For England, this weekend represents a chance to build on the promising signs shown against France and truly kick-start the Borthwick era. Having home advantage against their fiercest rival is an opportunity they simply must capitalize on.
Scotland know that if they can end their Twickenham hoodoo and make it five-straight Calcutta Cup wins, they will take huge momentum and belief into the final two rounds. A victory of that magnitude on enemy soil could be the catalyst for a serious tilt at a first Six Nations crown since 1999.
When the first whistle blows on Saturday evening, all the pre-match talk will count for nothing. It will come down to which set of players can impose their gameplan, handle the pressure-cooker atmosphere, and seize the big moments. For England and Scotland, the stakes could scarcely be higher.
