England cannot claim they haven’t been warned. Their recent struggles against Scotland just one win in their last seven Calcutta Cup encounters have featured some painful moments, with two names standing out: Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe. The dynamic duo, fitness permitting, will once again be key figures at Twickenham on Saturday.
Russell has long been Scotland’s creative heartbeat, orchestrating their best moments with a mix of vision and skill. Van der Merwe, meanwhile, has tormented England with his devastating power and pace. His two tries at Twickenham two years ago were a warning sign, and his hat-trick at Murrayfield last year was a full-blown statement. Whether it was his breathtaking solo effort from deep inside his own half, his rampaging 60-metre score past multiple defenders, or his late match-winning finish, his ability to punish England has been relentless.
Stopping him is a major challenge. England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, recognizes the threat. “He’s got pace and power down that edge, and if you give him space, he’ll take it,” Borthwick said. “Denying him that space will be very important. You have to be really on the money defensively across the board.”
That is easier said than done. During his time in the Premiership with Worcester, Van der Merwe’s teammates quickly realized how effective he was when given regular opportunities. “We just gave him the ball and said: ‘Go on, off you go,’” recalls Ollie Lawrence, who will be tasked with stopping him this weekend. “Duhey is a great character, a good friend, and an incredibly talented player. He loves throwing people off him.”
Lawrence, now at Bath, also has firsthand experience of the brilliance Russell brings. The fly-half has helped transform Bath’s attacking game, and Lawrence has been among those benefiting from his skill. “Sometimes Finn is in his own world and sees things that nobody else can,” he said. “He can create something out of nothing. His passing game and kicking game are outstanding.”
What many don’t realize is that Russell’s magic isn’t purely instinctive. “Before I met him, I thought he was purely a feel-based player,” Lawrence admitted. “But he sees pictures because of the analysis he does. He executes things he’s already seen in previous games. He’s world-class at it.” Those quick, subtle offloads make him even more dangerous. “I’ve been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of them, but hopefully that won’t be the case this weekend.”
England have been studying how best to disrupt Russell and Van der Merwe. A high-intensity approach at the breakdown and set piece will be key, as will targeting Russell with defensive pressure. “It’s a challenge, just like facing Antoine Dupont,” said Lawrence. “If you put pressure on them, you can force errors. That’s the plan on Saturday.”
Defensive execution will be crucial. Missed tackles proved costly against Ireland in Dublin and have repeatedly hurt England against Scotland in recent years. Beyond Russell and Van der Merwe, the hosts cannot afford to give space to the likes of Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, or Ben White, another persistent thorn in their side.
England believe they have learned from last year’s defeat. “That game was a turning point for us,” said Lawrence. “We were not happy with how we played. We’ve used it as an example of what we don’t want to look like as a team. It’s vital that we impose our game on Scotland rather than letting them dictate on our home turf.”
If England fail to contain Scotland’s dangermen once again, it could be another long afternoon at Twickenham.England Must Find Answers to Scotland’s Russell and Van der Merwe Threat
