An opening 48-7 thrashing of Wales at Twickenham last weekend underlined England’s credentials as contenders for a first Six Nations title in six years, with Steve Borthwick having already set his sights on a Grand Slam clash against champions France in next month’s tournament final.
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However, away wins have proven elusive under former England captain Borthwick.
In his 41 tests as head coach, excluding those on neutral territory during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Borthwick has overseen just seven away wins.
As a result, a victory at Murrayfield in the 144th edition of rugby union’s oldest international match would represent a major milestone for England ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Until England’s narrow 16-15 win at Twickenham last year, Scotland had won four consecutive Calcutta Cup matches, including the last two at Murrayfield.
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England rugby teams are frequently accused of “arrogance”, although often the biggest problem has been an inhibiting lack of self-confidence.
But veteran fly-half George Ford, who produced an attacking masterclass against a woeful Wales side, has urged his England team-mates to embrace the confidence generated by recent results.
“We definitely have to use it, it’s a very positive thing, why wouldn’t we?” he said, with England captain Maro Itoje back in the second row after coming off the bench against Wales following the death of his mother.
“A lot of times in England they tell us to tone things down, but let’s use them.”
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– ‘The most important game’ –
Scotland’s disheartening 18-15 defeat to Italy in Rome last weekend left coach Gregor Townsend facing fresh questions about whether he was still communicating with his players after nine years in charge.
They finished no higher than third in the Six Nations and also failed to qualify for the group stages of the 2019 and 2023 World Cups under Townsend.
But the 52-year-old former Scotland playmaker, who was given a contract extension in September that would take him to the 2027 World Cup, remains in a defiant mood.
“The feeling of losing is worse than the distraction when people give their opinion to the group or to me as a coach,” Townsend told reporters before his 100th game in charge as he bids to beat England for the sixth time in nine games.
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“It’s our most important game of the season,” Townsend said of a game first played in 1871. “It’s even more important after a disappointing loss.”
Townsend had made four changes, all to his squad, with no Edinburgh players in a Scottish starting team for the first time since 1998.
But they have retained the same defensive division that failed against Italy, with the talented Finn Russell at flyhalf.
Scotland’s two all-time best try scorers – flankers Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham – as well as British and Irish Lions full-back Blair Kinghorn have been ruled out again.
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Van der Merwe scored a hat-trick of tries against England during the 30-21 victory at Murrayfield two years ago.
“It was a difficult decision to go into the game against Italy without Duhan, Darcy and Blair, three quality players,” Townsend said.
“But the three that were selected (Tom Jordan, Kyle Steyn, Jamie Dobie) were in very good form.
“And then with the limited opportunities they had in Rome, I felt like everyone played well.”
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