Previewing the Crucial England vs Scotland Clash in Six Nations 2025
England and Scotland are set to clash in the eagerly anticipated Calcutta Cup match during the 2025 Six Nations. England is driven to end a four-game losing streak against Scotland. Steve Borthwick’s team rides the momentum of a razor-thin 26-25 win over France. On the other side, Scotland, led by Gregor Townsend, is confident after dominating the last four encounters with England.
Strengths and Weaknesses
England’s strategies have revolved around their tactical kicking game, with an impressive 84 kicks in general play, including 15 grubbers. Their effectiveness in retaining possession on restarts, with four successful halfway-line recoveries, has been noteworthy. However, a weak point for England has been their ruck speed, which averages a sluggish 4.8 seconds—the slowest in the tournament. In stark contrast, Scotland has been efficient at the breakdowns, boasting a quick 3.3-second average ruck speed. Scotland also excels in offloading, with players like Blair Kinghorn, Jonny Gray, and Rory Darge each contributing five offloads. However, their forwards need improvement, making dominant carries at only an 18% success rate. England's defensive tenacity, especially their nine jackal turnovers, poses a challenge to Scotland’s possession-heavy tactics.
This disparity in ruck speed presents an interesting dynamic. Scotland’s ability to exploit quick turnovers might give them an edge, while England relies on their solid defensive reads to stymie Scottish attacks.
Team Updates and Match Predictions
The match-day squads bring excitement and a few question marks. For England, Marcus Smith takes the full-back position, and Fin Smith will steer the game at fly-half. Tom Curry and Ben Earl are integral to a cohesive forward pack. Scotland, meanwhile, includes playmakers like Finn Russell, working through concussion protocols but expected to be a crucial component, and Duhan van der Merwe, known for his 15 Six Nations tries. Despite injuries to players like Darcy Graham, anticipation is high for Scotland’s steadfast lineup.
The match kicks off at Twickenham on Saturday, 22 February 2025, at 4:45 pm GMT. Fans can catch the action live on ITV1 or through streaming on ITVX. According to Opta’s supercomputer, England has a 71.8% chance of winning, with a projected scoreline of 29-19. However, considering Scotland’s stronghold in recent matches, including a decisive win at Murrayfield in 2024, the match promises suspense.
Opposing streaks will meet as Scotland aims for a fifth consecutive win over England, and England hopes to reclaim victory at Twickenham, a feat they last achieved in 2017. Key players such as Tom Curry, whose skill in forcing turnovers could disrupt Scottish flow, and van der Merwe, with his remarkable ability to beat defenders, are the ones to watch in this exhilarating showdown.