The Six Nations was back with a real bang last week and there promises to be another cracking clash as Scotland entertain England at Murrayfield on Saturday (kick off 3.45pm).
There is a rivalry that goes back decades between these two nations and Saturday promises to be no different as these two sides contest the Calcutta Cup.
Scotland endured a narrow defeat to Ireland in Dublin last weekend, losing 19-12 whilst World Cup runners-up England suffered a shock 24-17 loss to France in Paris.
England got a first half battering in that match against Les Bleus and, although they were close to a stirring comeback, coach Eddie Jones was blasted for his tactics in the game.
This week, the rivalry between Scotland and England was intensified as Scottish centre Sam Johnson claimed this week that “no-one” likes England, which is sure to increase the tension before the game.
Jones’ men were favourites to lift the Six Nations title but with the Grand Slam now out of the window, hopes are high that England can turn that defeat around and put in a rousing performance in Edinburgh.
However, Scotland will take heart from their incredible 38-38 draw against England at Twickenham last year in what promises to be a fiery encounter in the Scottish capital.
Scotland vs England Predictions
England had a phenomenal World Cup campaign in Japan, reaching the final before losing to South Africa. Before that, their semi-final victory over the world’s number one ranked side, New Zealand, was one of the finest performances by an English team in living memory.
The nagging doubt for England is, did that brilliant win against the All Blacks leave a mark which is still there? They were comprehensively outplayed by the Springboks in the final (albeit back in November) and that hangover looked to still be there during the France defeat.
Scotland didn’t make it out of the group stages at the World Cup, losing a crunch match against hosts Japan but they put in an encouraging performance against the Irish last weekend.
A repeat of that would make for a very interesting game but England look to be too strong in all departments and a victory for Jones’ side looks to be on the cards.
Scotland vs England Betting Tips
- England to win by 16-20 points – 6/1
- Highest scoring half: First half – 11/10
- Handicap full time England -7.5 – 50/59
Scotland vs England Head to Head
- England have won 10 of the past 14 games between the two nations since 2007.
- Scotland’s last defeat against England came in March 2017.
- England have lost once at Murrayfield since 2008.
Scotland Team News
Number 8 Magnus Bradbury is the only change to the team following the defeat against Ireland last Saturday. He comes in for Nick Haining, who moves to the bench.
Bradbury missed the opener in Dublin due to a thigh strain but head coach Gregor Townsend announced that he is fit to start against England.
Team: Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Blair Kinghorn, Adam Hastings, Ali Price, Rory Sutherland, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jonny Gray, Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Magnus Bradbury.
England Team News
Jones has made five changes following last weekend’s chastening reverse against the French. Scrum-half Ben Youngs, Manu Tuilagi, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler and Charlie Ewels have been left out of the starting XV.
Maro Itoje, Willi Heinz, Mako Vunipola, Lewis Ludlam and Jonathan Joseph come in to face the Scots after the France debacle.
Saracens’ Ben Earl is set for a debut as one of six forwards on the bench.
Team: George Furbank, Jonny May, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Willi Heinz, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry.