As the 132nd Calcutta Cup approaches, one of the biggest questions remains: how many times does Scotland need to beat England before the latter stops considering itself the favorite? Under Gregor Townsend’s leadership, Scotland has remained unbeaten in six of the last seven encounters, winning the last four in a row. Yet, England still enters this fixture as the bookmakers’ pick, backed by pundits who insist their forwards will overpower the opposition.
Townsend, however, is content to let England carry the burden of expectation. Acknowledging England’s home advantage and recent performances, he pointed out how close they came to beating New Zealand both home and away, as well as their narrow defeats to South Africa and Australia. Their strong start against Ireland has only reinforced their belief that they are on the verge of a winning streak. But behind Townsend’s measured words was a knowing smile no one wins this fixture by underestimating English overconfidence.
Despite Scotland’s recent dominance, England’s historical advantage looms large, with 71 wins to Scotland’s 44 and 16 draws. For much of the past century, English players hardly saw this as a real rivalry. Townsend, who experienced this firsthand as a player with just one win in ten meetings, has been instrumental in shifting that dynamic. Though his tenure has yet to yield a Six Nations title or a deep World Cup run, he has cracked the code for beating England better than any of his predecessors.
When asked why his Scotland team had lost just once in this fixture under his guidance, Townsend’s reply was simple: “Well, it was raining that day.” His first win in 2018, a 25-13 triumph, remains one of his proudest moments. That game reinforced Scotland’s belief in their attacking style, which has since become the blueprint for success against England.
Scotland has thrived by moving the ball wide and executing with precision, a strategy that has repeatedly exposed England’s defensive vulnerabilities. The last six meetings have been punctuated by spectacular tries, including those from Ben White, Huw Jones, and the ever-dominant Duhan van der Merwe. Van der Merwe, in particular, has made a habit of tearing through England’s defense, seemingly built for the sole purpose of humiliating them. The 2023 encounter stands out as a classic in Townsend’s eyes, featuring thrilling moments, shifting momentum, and a stunning team try at the finish.
This week, Townsend has emphasized the need for composure, urging his players to “keep calm amid the chaos.” It’s a message he has reinforced throughout their training camp in Spain. He understands that games are not won by sheer passion alone if anything, too much emotion can be a detriment. England, on the other hand, has been fixated on revenge, with their coach making them relive past defeats in preparation.
While England talks as if they should win, Scotland carries itself with the quiet confidence of a team that knows it can. That doesn’t guarantee victory, but if the game becomes a tight battle in the second half, Scotland will trust in their ability to prevail regardless of who the pre-match favorites were.
