Six Nations 2025: England v Scotland preview

Recently, British media have published numerous comments on the upcoming England vs. Scotland rugby match, some of which seem distorted and perplexing. Courtney Lawes, a former outstanding England forward, stated that if England plays at 70-80% of their potential at Twickenham, Scotland will struggle to cope. He added, "It's time they knew we are the stronger team." This confident assertion sets the stage for a highly anticipated clash.

Considering Scotland's victories in the past four encounters and their record under Gregor Townsend, having lost only one of seven Calcutta Cup matches, outscoring their opponents 19 tries to 13, Lawes's view seems rather bold. Furthermore, Sir Clive Woodward also wrote an article predicting that England would completely overwhelm Scotland's forward pack, asserting that "England will win easily." Such strong opinions add fuel to the already intense rivalry.

While England's forward pack is undoubtedly strong, and they may indeed cause Scotland some trouble, we have yet to see them consistently dominate the forward packs of numerous strong teams. They are still far from the level of the 2003 England team. Of course, Scotland could create chaos once again. Given recent history, people are more inclined to believe the latter. After all, there is actual evidence to support this view. The historical context heavily influences expectations.

What makes England so confident of an easy victory? Is it simply because the match is being held at Twickenham? Perhaps, but Scotland has won two and drawn one of their last three Calcutta Cup matches in London. Or is it because England beat France? Undoubtedly, it was a great victory and provided momentum, but wasn't it France's own problems that led to their poor performance in the match? Or is it because England has transformed under coach Steve Borthwick? Maybe so. The reasons for England's perceived advantage are multifaceted and debatable.

England has many star players, and major bookmakers generally favor them to win Saturday's game. But last year, when they beat Ireland, they were also thought to be on the verge of glory, a victory that ultimately proved to be a flash in the pan. Beyond these serious analyses, some of the comments about Scotland and their environment seem rather strange. Over the past week, in various media outlets, Scotland has been portrayed as having a weak forward pack (they did struggle against Ireland, but that was one game against a superb team), as being unable to challenge the rugby hierarchy (what about the four wins out of four?), and as being a team unworthy of a place on rugby's top stage. This is simply nonsense. Such negative portrayals seem unwarranted given Scotland's recent performances.

Some say that they only give their all when playing against England, and that their exceptional performance stems from hatred of the "Red Rose." Then, others talk about the many South African and Australian players in the team, and the gradual dilution of the team's Scottish heritage. These two statements contradict each other. How can a team that plays with such Scottish spirit against England be considered not Scottish enough because of the non-Scottish-born players in the team? This is clearly untenable. The criticisms levied against Scotland appear inconsistent and unfounded.

Furthermore, some say that Scottish fans lack enthusiasm. Scotland has not won any silverware in 26 years, but last season's match against Portugal still attracted 60,000 fans to Murrayfield, and matches against most other teams are almost sold out. Is this a lack of enthusiasm? While there is no shortage of insightful analysis and the inevitable Calcutta Cup week banter, some of the pre-match "hot takes" have been bordering on the absurd. The passionate fanbase clearly demonstrates their unwavering support for the team.

Former Scotland hooker Fraser Brown, who played in five Calcutta Cup matches, including the 2023 victory at Twickenham, said: "It's a bit like they're scared of them getting five in a row. This general narrative will help create the underdog mentality that Scotland has used to drive the team forward for the past seven or eight years. Scotland still doesn't like being labeled as favorites, so the English media may be doing the coach and team a favor." This perspective suggests that the negative press might inadvertently benefit Scotland.

So, where will the key to this match lie? Brown believes: "The strength of England's replacement forwards may determine the outcome of the match." He pointed out that injuries to Scotland's second-row players Scott Cummings and Max Williamson, as well as the absence of hooker George Turner, will all have an impact on the team. For Scotland, the set-piece must perform well. The set-piece has sometimes been problematic in the past two weeks, but it must remain solid, and I believe Zander Fagerson will try to last as close to 80 minutes as possible. Lineout throwing also needs to improve. Scotland needs possession. In the match against Ireland, they did not get a platform to attack. The breakdown will be crucial. The breakdown was poor against Ireland and Italy, and England has many players, both starting and on the bench, who are good at the breakdown. It's not just about losing possession; Scotland cannot tolerate slow rucks. Quick ball will break down England's defense." Tactical elements and player availability will significantly influence the game's flow.

Brown scoffed at the suggestion that Scotland's forward pack couldn't break through a paper bag. "Scotland's forward pack did struggle against Ireland, but during the autumn series, when they went toe-to-toe with South Africa for 50 minutes, or when they beat Ireland last year, or after they won the last four Calcutta Cup matches, no one was saying that." Brown said that Scotland did slip up that day, but England is not as strong as Ireland. He thinks the match will be very close. His assessment emphasizes the importance of context and acknowledges the potential for a tightly contested battle.

No Woodward-esque arrogance? "Can we retire him?" he replied. "His view of modern rugby is outdated and lacks insight." It seems he is not a fan of Woodward. This final comment adds a touch of humor and highlights the contrasting perspectives surrounding the upcoming match.