by Some games are bigger than others and this year’s Calcutta Cup encounter is firmly in that category. The World Cup may have come and gone but, for reasons both ancient and modern, the 142nd edition of rugby’s oldest international game feels more significant than usual. A defining encounter awaits all concerned, in the short and medium term.
In different ways Scotland and England have reached a fork in their development paths. Get it right and the high road is approaching. Stumble and many of the old tough questions will quickly surface, especially for the visitors to Murrayfield. Narrow wins over Italy and Wales are one thing but the acid test of the latest Red Rose incarnation has arrived.
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We have, admittedly, been here before. Unlike the nearby repainting of the Forth Bridge, England’s makeover is like one of those projects that never truly ends. Some things, however, are non-negotiable and it would be impossible for anyone at Twickenham to pull off a fourth consecutive Six Nations defeat for Scotland.
Scotland, for their part, will have a very disappointing championship if they lose both home games. If they were unlucky in the finals against France, they will also know that it was a game they should have won regardless. They don’t always get the favor but they once again find themselves in fear in front of their own supporters and another year of frustrating underachievement is to come.
Hence the prospect in the cool, malty air around Murrayfield, a place where England is completely at ease. They won in 2020 but that was their only success in the last six meetings. To support the insistence of Steve Borthwick and his players that better times are around the corner, they must stop that streak.
It won’t be easy: Scotland are a determined, skilled and motivated side. They tend to play smart on these occasions too, rather than simply settling for a slow, repetitive game which suits England just fine. It doesn’t take a crystal ball to predict that the breakdown will once again be a key area, with Rory Darge and Jamie Ritchie keen to spoil England’s appearance, or that Finn Russell’s fingerprints will be all over the competition at some point.
England are doing their best to prepare themselves by inviting young Northampton flyhalf Finn Smith to try and replicate some of Russell’s spirit and tricks in training. It’s not always that simple, though, and it was instructive to hear Scotland’s ringmaster discuss the mindset needed to get ahead of the souped-up “blitz” defense England will bring.
In the World Cup, South Africa effectively dominated Scotland at the pass, moving up to reduce Russell’s options and disrupting the style of their opponents. The lessons of that 18-3 win, says Russell, have been duly taken on board. “Under pressure we probably went into the shell a bit. Tomorrow, we just need to have faith in ourselves and have confidence in the work we have done in the last six months to a year.
“When we feel pressured we can’t get tunnel vision. We cannot focus on their direct blitz and look directly in front of us. We have to look at the bigger picture.
“The message I was sending to the boys today was a decisive one: don’t mind between carry and pass. That’s when you get caught on the back foot and the defense gets on top of us.”
If that’s any indication that a final is in the offing, we’re certainly in for a treat. Wales found some holes in the interior of the English midfield defenders but the Scottish firepower was not out wide. Combined with quick ball and a hint of space, Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn have the ability to cause major problems with a repositioned rearguard. The return of Blair Kinghorn won’t directly hinder their kicking game either.
From England’s side, the onus is on their back five to generate some momentum, ideally with center Ollie Lawrence replicating his blistering form for Bath before his untimely injury last month. Having trailed at half-time to Italy and Wales, the visitors will need to start faster and keep the penalty count to a minimum. In that regard it is of little concern to them that the referee, Andrew Brace, was in charge of the Scottish Calcutta Cup victories in 2018 and 2021.
That said, England are as positive and cohesive as a group off the field as they have been in recent years, and this seems to be helping them make their way through tight games that would have once eluded them. In Jamie George they also have a leader setting a truly remarkable example after receiving his mother’s cancer diagnosis on the same day he was invited to captain England. If his inspirational and heartfelt tribute to his late mother has half the impact his team and the media gathered on Thursday night will be desperate to honor Jane George’s memory in the biggest way possible.
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Such things, clearly, make the outcome of any rugby game entirely relative. As George was keen to emphasize, however, his mother loved the game and was not so proud of his appointment. In those circumstances sport takes on a new meaning: there is an opportunity to channel raw emotions, to find comfort in the camaraderie of the dressing room and to give thanks for small mercies as the first notes of the song rise to the skies. heaven
After that? Temperament will only provide a partial shield for England as the temperature drops and the Murrayfield storm increases. Stand firm and, with games against Ireland and France still to come, they will remain in control of their own destiny. Good luck again to the opponents who seem to be outnumbered and the progress they claim is happening needs to be reassessed.
It makes for an enticing prospect and, perhaps, a game-changing ride for both sets of fans. Scotland suffered a controversial photo-finish two weeks ago but this time, chasing a fourth straight win over England for the first time in over half a century, they may be able to pull some stops.
