It’s almost the same lineup once again for England as they prepare for their third 6 Nations fixture against Scotland, with just a single change to the starting XV that edged past France (26-25) in their last outing. Head coach Steve Borthwick has opted to bring Ollie Chessum into the second row, replacing George Martin, who drops to the bench. Aside from this alteration, the rest of the team remains unchanged, including the continuation of Marcus Smith at full-back and Fin Smith at fly-half. This match, part of the third round of the Six Nations Championship, carries significant weight for the England team, who are still in search of their first Calcutta Cup triumph since 2020.
Stability the Key as England Prepare for Stern Scottish Test
Consistency is the key word for England as they head into one of the most fiercely contested fixtures of the tournament. Fresh off a dramatic, last-second victory against France, Steve Borthwick has largely kept faith in the team that delivered the result, making only a single adjustment in the forward pack. Ollie Chessum, who impressed off the bench two weeks ago, gets the nod in the second row alongside captain Maro Itoje, while George Martin shifts to the replacements.
Borthwick’s decision to maintain the core of his side highlights his trust in a group that has delivered under pressure so far. The all-Northampton half-back partnership of Fin Smith at fly-half and Alex Mitchell at scrum-half remains intact, offering continuity in the pivotal playmaking positions. Meanwhile, Marcus Smith continues at full-back, a selection that has proved effective in England’s tactical setup.
On the wings, Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme retain their spots, with the latter holding onto his place despite speculation that Immanuel Feyi-Waboso could return to the squad. In the centres, Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade continue their solid partnership, providing a blend of physicality and creative spark.
In the forward pack, there are no changes to the front row of Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Will Stuart, nor to the back-row trio of Tom Curry, Ben Earl, and Tom Willis, who have brought balance and mobility to England’s breakdown work. The stability in selection reflects England’s confidence in their pack, which has been a strong point throughout the opening rounds of the tournament.
A Historic Rivalry with High Stakes
England and Scotland are set to write another chapter in one of rugby’s longest-standing rivalries. This will be the 143rd meeting between the two oldest nations in the sport, with Scotland having dominated recent encounters, winning each of the last four Calcutta Cup clashes. Their current streak is the longest in history, and they will be determined to extend it further.
For England, the challenge is clear: they must overturn their poor recent record against their northern rivals while keeping their Six Nations title hopes alive. Borthwick’s men currently sit third in the table, level on six points with France and four points behind leaders Ireland. A victory at Twickenham is imperative if they are to remain in contention, though their fate may still depend on an Irish slip-up later in the competition.
Scotland, on the other hand, come into this match full of confidence, having shown consistent improvement under Gregor Townsend. However, they will be missing a key figure in Sione Tuipulotu, a blow that could weaken their midfield. Even so, England will be well aware of the threat posed by the likes of Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe, who have been instrumental in Scotland’s recent success.
Twickenham will be packed with passionate home support, and England will be desperate to end their barren run in this fixture. Regaining the Calcutta Cup is not just about bragging rights, it is also about proving that this England side is moving in the right direction under Borthwick’s leadership.
England Team to Face Scotland
Starting XV:
15. Marcus Smith, 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 12. Henry Slade, 11. Ollie Sleightholme, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Alex Mitchell, 8. Tom Willis, 7. Ben Earl, 6. Tom Curry, 5. Ollie Chessum, 4. Maro Itoje, 3. Will Stuart, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1. Ellis Genge.
Replacements:
16. Jamie George, 17. Fin Baxter, 18. Joe Heyes, 19. George Martin, 20. Chandler Cunningham-South, 21. Ben Curry, 22. Harry Randall, 23. Elliot Daly.
