Overview
- England confirmed Maro Itoje’s return to the starting XV and captaincy, with Luke Cowan-Dickie promoted at hooker and Jamie George moving to the bench.
- Fin Smith is named on the bench ahead of Marcus Smith, as Steve Borthwick retains the backline that beat Wales with Tommy Freeman at 13 and Henry Arundell and Tom Roebuck on the wings.
- Scotland are set to overhaul their forwards, with reports that Pierre Schoeman and Grant Gilchrist have been dropped, Ewan Ashman is out injured, Gregor Brown comes in, Nathan McBeth is expected to start at loosehead, and Jamie Ritchie is recalled as George Turner steps in at hooker.
- Head coach Gregor Townsend faces intensified scrutiny after the 18-15 defeat to Italy, though Borthwick publicly praised him and highlighted his win record in the professional era.
- The Calcutta Cup kicks off at 4:40pm GMT on Saturday, February 14 at Murrayfield, where England last won in 2020 and arrive on a 12-match winning run.