The Albany Gazette - England seek statement Six Nations win away to Scotland

An opening 48-7 rout of Wales at Twickenham last weekend underlined England's credentials as contenders for a first Six Nations title in six years, with Steve Borthwick having already set his sights on a Grand Slam clash away to champions France in next month's tournament finale.

Nevertheless, wins on the road have proved elusive under former England captain Borthwick.

In his 41 Tests as head coach, discounting those on neutral territory during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Borthwick has overseen just seven away victories.

As a result, a win at Murrayfield in the 144th edition of rugby union's oldest international fixture would represent a significant landmark for England ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Until England's narrow 16-15 success at Twickenham last year, Scotland had won four successive Calcutta Cup clashes, including the last two at Murrayfield.

England rugby teams are frequently accused of "arrogance", although an inhibiting lack of self-belief has often been more of an issue.

But veteran fly-half George Ford, who produced an attacking masterclass against a woeful Wales, has urged his England teammates to embrace the confidence brought about by recent results.

"We've got to definitely use it, it's such a positive thing, why wouldn't we?," he said, with England captain Maro Itoje back in the second row after coming off the bench against Wales following the death of his mother.

"A lot of the time in England we get told to temper it, but let's use it."

- 'Biggest game' -

Scotland's dispiriting 18-15 loss to Italy in Rome last weekend left coach Gregor Townsend facing renewed questions over whether he was still getting through to his players after nine years in charge.

They have finished no higher than third in the Six Nations and they also failed to qualify out of the group stage of the 2019 and 2023 World Cups under Townsend.

But the 52-year-old former Scotland playmaker, who in September was handed a contract extension taking him through to the 2027 World Cup, remains in defiant mood.

"The feeling of losing is worse than the distraction around when people are giving their opinions to the group or to me as a coach," Townsend told reporters ahead of his 100th match at the helm as he aims to get the better of England for a sixth time in nine meetings.

"It's our biggest game of the season," said Townsend of a fixture first played in 1871. "It's even more important on the back of a disappointing defeat."

Townsend had made four changes, all to his pack, with no Edinburgh players in a Scotland starting side for the first time since 1998.

But he has retained the same back division that misfired against Italy, with the gifted Finn Russell at fly-half.

Scotland's top two try-scorers of all time -- wings Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham -- as well as British and Irish Lions full-back Blair Kinghorn, have all been been left out again.

Van der Merwe scored a hat-trick of tries against England during a 30-21 win at Murrayfield two years ago.

"It was a difficult decision going into the Italy game not involving Duhan, Darcy and Blair, three quality players," said Townsend.

"But the three that got selected ahead (Tom Jordan, Kyle Steyn, Jamie Dobie) were in really good form.

"And then with the limited chances they got in Rome, I felt they all played well."

(C.Young--TAG)