England are gearing up to show their ruthless edge against Scotland in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash, with captain Maro Itoje calling on his team to break their losing streak and reclaim the historic trophy for the first time in five years. With momentum from their narrow victory over France, England have been training with intensity, determined to reverse their recent fortunes against their old rivals.
The squad has been focused on correcting past mistakes, with Tom Curry noting an edginess in training and Ben Earl revealing that players were shown clips of their shortcomings in previous encounters with Scotland. England’s last victory in this fixture came in 2020, and they have not won at Twickenham against Scotland since 2017. With the Six Nations title still within reach, this match is crucial for Steve Borthwick’s side.
Itoje, one of just five players in the starting lineup who have experienced victory over Scotland, is well aware of the challenge ahead. A loss would mark England’s worst-ever run in the fixture, making the need for a turnaround even more pressing. He emphasized the importance of controlled aggression, balancing passion with precision.
“You don’t want blind rage or beating-your-chest fury, but you need some of that,” he said. “Rugby is not a game of brute force alone; you need accuracy, composure, and the ability to identify space and execute. We have to strike the right balance, but we definitely need elements of both.”
Acknowledging Scotland’s recent dominance, Itoje highlighted the team’s strong motivation to shift the narrative. “They have a better record against us in recent years than most nations, and that’s something we’re massively motivated to change,” he said. “Saturday is a brilliant opportunity to win the Calcutta Cup and create our own history.”
England’s approach has been shaped by a desire to match Scotland’s intensity. Assistant coach Tom Harrison stressed that his side is ready to fight fire with fire. “We’ve talked about how teams always find something extra when they play against England, but there’s a nastiness to us as well,” he said. “We want to win the Calcutta Cup back here. We haven’t done so in years, and that has to change.”
The emotional weight of the fixture has not been lost on the players. Harrison noted that those who lose must “wear it for a whole year” when they return to club rugby, facing opponents who have bested them on the international stage. That lingering pain has fueled England’s determination to reclaim the upper hand.
Tom Willis, set to play against Scotland for the first time, echoed the importance of intensity and competition within the squad. “The way we push each other in training sets the tone for the weekend,” he said. “We have some unbelievable players in the squad, and everyone drives each other on. You need an element of nastiness to bring out the best performances.”
England are entering this contest with renewed aggression and a clear goal: to end their losing run against Scotland and take back the Calcutta Cup. With a balance of physicality, precision, and determination, they are prepared for what promises to be a fierce battle at Twickenham.
