England vs Scotland: Calcutta Cup Preview and Predictions in the Six Nations
Image credits: Jane Barlow/PA
The Calcutta Cup, one of the most historic and intense rivalries in rugby, is set to be contested once again as England hosts Scotland in the Six Nations Championship. This match is not only crucial for the championship standings but also holds significant pride and bragging rights for the winning team. Scotland, under the guidance of head coach Gregor Townsend, has enjoyed an unprecedented run of success against England, winning their last four encounters. However, England, fresh from a confidence-boosting victory over France, will be eager to end this streak and assert their dominance at Twickenham.
Scotland's preparations for the match have been marked by concerns over the fitness of key players, particularly fly-half Finn Russell, who suffered a concussion in the previous round against Ireland. Fortunately for Scotland, Russell has been declared fit to start, which is a significant boost to their chances. The absence of Darcy Graham, who also suffered a concussion in the same match, is a blow, but Kyle Rowe's inclusion on the wing provides a reliable and intelligent alternative. The return of Pierre Schoeman and Jamie Ritchie to the starting lineup adds ball-carrying grunt and breakdown prowess, respectively, which will be crucial in matching England's physicality.
England, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and the momentum gained from their win over France. Their team selection reflects a focus on attack, defence, and set-piece discipline, areas where they will need to outperform Scotland to secure a victory. The battle between the two teams' forward packs will be particularly intriguing, with England's supposed monsters up front aiming to take advantage of Scotland's perceived lack of power. However, Scotland's recent record against England suggests they are more than capable of competing physically and tactically.
The predictions from rugby experts are varied, with some believing England's home advantage and recent form will prove too much for Scotland, while others think Scotland can extend their winning streak. The key to Scotland's success will lie in their ability to balance passion with clarity and composure, especially in the face of England's kicking game and the anticipated physical battle. If Scotland can navigate these challenges and capitalize on their opportunities, they might just pull off another upset. The match is expected to be closely contested, with the outcome potentially decided by small margins.
The team lineups for the match are as follows:
- England: M Smith, T Freeman, O Lawrence, H Slade, O Sleightholme, F Smith, A Mitchell, E Genge, L Cowan-Dickie, W Stuart, M Itoje, O Chessum, T Curry, B Earl, T Willis
- Scotland: B Kinghorn, K Rowe, H Jones, T Jordan, D Van der Merwe, F Russell, B White, P Schoeman, D Cherry, Z Fagerson, J Gray, G Gilchrist, J Ritchie, R Darge, J Dempsey
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