JEREMY GUSCOTT
OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE... EVERY WEEK
THE Calcutta Cup is a great occasion whether it’s at Murrayfield or Twickenham, and there is an edge in it whenever you talk to England or Scotland players, past or present.
Neither English nor Scottish players feel overly welcome at the other team’s ground, and there is always a prickly undercurrent. It is greater than when England go to Wales, Ireland, France or Italy, so when they face Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday, Steve Borthwick’s squad can expect to get some stick.
Perhaps the Grand Slam game in 1990 at Murrayfield plays a part in it, and, more recently, so does the 2018 game, with the tunnel mind games started by Ryan Wilson’s attempt to wind up George Ford, ending in a pre-match tussle between Wilson and Owen Farrell.
Both matches ended in English losses, and they are remembered – as they have been in the press this week. So, it’s often a spicy buildup, and it adds to the anticipation and the occasion, especially as England’s recent record isn’t great against their oldest rivals, with Scotland winning the last three Six Nations encounters.
The Scots will still be feeling the sting from having the game against France go against them at Murrayfield last weekend after the controversial last-minute no try decision. However, Scotland were not particularly dominant against a French side that don’t look overly fit, but still managed to score two tries to one.
Scotland moved the ball a bit more than the French, but there was a lot of kicking from both teams – and it’s time the “Dupont rule” was shelved for good. I understand the frustration caused by the ping-pong kicking, but it could be remedied easily by allowing the receiver to run it back with no defenders able to intervene unless the kicker, or a team-mate behind him, has advanced far enough to put them onside.
In the first round, the Scots did well to win in Wales – based on a first-half when they took their tries well against poor defending. In the second-half they eased back, and only reacted just in time to save the game.
The key for the Scots is playing smart, because usually they do not have the power to smash through defences. That’s why I would use winger Duhan van der Merwe’s size and strength by bringing him onto the ball more in midfield. Keeping the error count low and executing well equals pressure – and it’s then, after carrying hard, that the Scots will find space, and Finn Russell will find ways to capitalise.
England are in a similar place, except recently they have not been as successful in the Six Nations as Scotland. However, they will be no pushover, especially given that George Martin and Manu Tuilagi are back in the squad after injury.
These teams are well matched, although England appear to have more carriers in the back
