Six Nations, England v Scotland preview and tips: Duhan van der Merwe poses threat
- Simon Wilkes
- 3 February 2023
The Calcutta Cup clash will be Steve Borthwick’s first match as England head coach since replacing Eddie Jones - and he will be hoping to get off to a winning start at Twickenham.
Scotland will be entering this contest with confidence, however, as they have won their last two meetings and are chasing a third consecutive win for the first time since 1972.
This will be Gregor Townsend's sixth Championship in charge of Scotland, who secured a 20-17 win at Murrayfield last time out thanks to a late Finn Russell penalty.
Manu Tuilagi has been dropped by Borthwick, with Joe Marchant taking the 31-year-old's place in the England line-up.
Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell will resume their playmaking axis, while wing Ollie Hassell-Collin has been handed his first cap in a rejigged back line.
Ben Curry will be awarded his first cap against major opposition following his debut in an underwhelming victory over the United States nearly two years ago.
Borthwick said: "There are few fixtures in the rugby calendar that excite both players and supporters alike more than the annual Six Nations meeting of the Auld Enemy as they battle for the honour of lifting the Calcutta Cup.
"Another packed Twickenham will witness the start of the next chapter of English rugby in one of the most keenly contested tournaments in the world. There is no doubt that this England team shares the supporters' sense of eager anticipation.
"To a man, the players are determined to play with the commitment, fight and desire that is at the very heart of representing England, the sort of passion that our tremendous supporters rightly expect."
Scotland have decided against throwing Zander Fagerson straight back into action, opting to give the 2021 British and Irish Lions squad member more time to get up to speed after a hamstring injury.
Edinburgh flanker Luke Crosbie is the least experienced player in the 23 with two caps, while influential duo Stuart Hogg and Duhan van der Merwe are both in the XV despite recent fitness concerns.
Crosbie's Edinburgh team-mate and wing Duhan van der Merwe will likely be the main man England need to shackle if they are to conquer the Scots - but he seems a good shout for the anytime try market.
Six Nations 2022, last three results (England)
England 23 Wales 19
England 15 Ireland 32
France 25 England 13
Six Nations 2022, last three results (Scotland)
Scotland 17 France 36
Italy 22 Scotland 33
Ireland 26 Scotland 5
Suggested bets
Scotland +8.5 points handicap
Second half highest scoring half
Duhan van der Merwe anytime try
