6 NATIONS TEST RUGBY: Calcutta Cup Clash

12.03.2011
Scotland v England at Twickenham (6 Nations; Calcutta Cup)

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Preview
Few matches on the international test rugby calendar inspire more passion that a Calcutta Match at Twickenham. The two teams, England and Scotland, got things going back in 1871 when they played the first recognized test rugby match. On Saturday England will play for a chance of bagging a Championship title and the prospect of a Grand Slam. Scotland arrives at Twickenham to have a bash at the ‘old enemy’. I’d love to be there!

Despite the cry of passion Scotland’s recent record has not enthused Scottish fans. The fact is that since that remarkable win against South Africa in November, Scotland has barely fired a spark. They have lost all games at Murrayfield and realistically they don’t, on paper, stand much of a chance at Twickenham. Well, that is just the sort of situation from which Scotland can pounce a win. England be ware!

As for England the good form they showed in November has continued. They dispatched France who were looking to be their nearest rival and everybody else so far. The massive forward pack has been finally complemented by a backline with some spirit, skill and even flare. Ye Gods! England are finally, since 2007, showing some decent form.

Last Five Encounters
13.03.2010 Drawn 15-15 at Murrayfield (6 Nations; Calcutta Cup)
21.03.2009 England 26-12 at Twickenham (6 Nations; Calcutta Cup)
08.03.2008 Scotland 15-9 at Murrayfield (6 Nations; Calcutta Cup)
07.02.2007 England 42-20 at Twickenham (6 Nations; Calcutta Cup)
25.02.2006 Scotland 18-12 at Murrayfield (6 Nations; Calcutta Cup)

Scotland has to go back as far as 1983 for a win at Twickenham.

England Last Five
26.02.2011 v France W 17-9 at Twickenham (6 Nations)
12.02.2011 v Italy W 59-13 at Twickenham (6 Nations)
04.02.2011 v Wales W 26-19 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
27.11.2010 v South Africa L 11-21 at Twickenham
20.11.2010 v Samoa W 26-13 at Twickenham

Scotland Last Five
27.02.2011 v Ireland L 18-21 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)
12.02.2011 v Wales L 6-24 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)
05.02.2011 v France L 21-34 in Paris (6 Nations)
27.11.2010 v Samoa W 19-16 at Aberdeen
20.11.2010 v South Africa W 21-17 at Murrayfield

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-England 2nd, Scotland 8th
Europe Table-England 1st, Scotland 6th

IRB Ranking Points
England 83.98, Scotland 77.96

Prediction: There have been upset results in test rugby all weekend. So I’m saying, Scotland by 3 points.

Teams

England
15 Benjamin Foden, 14 Christopher Ashton, 13 Michael Tindall, Capt. 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Tobias Flood, 9 Benjamin Youngs , 8 Nicholas Easter ,
7 James Haskell, 6 Thomas Wood, 5 Thomas Palmer, 4 Louis Deacon, 3 Daniel Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Alexander Corbisiero.
Replacements
16 Steven Thompson, 17 Paul Doran-Jones, 18 Simon Shaw, 19 Thomas Croft, 20 Daniel Care, 21 Jonny Wilkinson, 22 Matthew Banahan.
Head Coach: Martin Johnson

Scotland
15 Christopher Paterson, 14 Simon Danielli, 13 Joseph Ansbro, 12 Sean Lamont, 11 Max Evans, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Kelly Brown, 7 John Barclay,
6 Nathan Hines, 5 Alastair Kellock (capt), 4 Richard Gray, 3 Moray Low, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements
16 Scott Lawson, 17 Geoffrey Cross, 18 Richard Vernon, 19 Alasdair Strokosch, 20 Michael Blair, 21 Daniel Parks, 22 Nicholas De Luca.
Head Coach: Andy Robinson