During his pre-match press conference, Finn Russell mentioned the upcoming Calcutta Cup match against England as simply another opportunity to secure a win.

If the Scotland fly-half and co-captain’s intention was to downplay the intensity of the upcoming event, he contradicted himself when he acknowledged that the team must set aside 153 years of history and competition. “We must concentrate on this game,” he stated. “It’s unlike any other.” Indeed.

The day before, the head coach, Gregor Townsend, was clear that the game against England is the one that Scottish players and fans are most focused on. He acknowledged that this may not be ideal, but it is the reality due to the history and emotions involved.

Russell recommended that Scotland focus on their preparation this week without letting emotions cloud their approach, and he made a valid argument. In the past, victory over their rival was cause for excessive celebration, but times have changed. With four wins and a draw in the last six matches, any feelings of inferiority among the Scots have dissipated. Russell acknowledged this shift, stating, “In the past, beating England was a huge achievement and we celebrated it greatly.” However, he also noted that the team has evolved and their mentality has become more professional in the past five to six years. As a result, their approach to this fixture is now more focused and disciplined.

In a noteworthy feat, Scotland has the opportunity to secure their fourth consecutive win against England, a feat that has not been achieved since 1896. While they did achieve four consecutive wins from 1970 to 1972, one of those matches was a commemorative centenary game to celebrate the first encounter between these longstanding rivals.

Townsend, 50, had not been born then. As a player he had to wait until his eighth attempt to enjoy a win over England – the wooden spoon-avoiding, grand slam-denying hatchet job on Clive Woodward’s side in 2000. It proved to be his only one in 10 contests.

From 2009 to 2012, I served as an assistant coach and during that time, our team experienced four losses and one tie. However, when I took on the role of head coach for the national team, the story of this match changed significantly. While we have yet to secure a win against Ireland after nine attempts, as well as against the All Blacks and Springboks, we have achieved some remarkable victories against our closest rivals, which are now highlighted on my resume.

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The pulsating 25-13 win of 2018 – Russell’s miracle pass, Huw Jones’s finishing, John Barclay’s breakdown banditry – was the catalyst for the turning of the tide. The attacking mindset continued even when staring into the abyss of a 31-0 deficit at Twickenham the year after, a mind-boggling comeback yielding an astonishing 38-38 draw.

“The successful return in 2019 solidified our faith and assurance against England,” stated Russell. “We have achieved several victories since then, indicating a gradual progression. It is not solely based on one outcome, but rather a process that has required time to evolve.”

In 2021, there was a significant victory at Twickenham that broke a 38-year losing streak. Two years ago, the team made a comeback to secure a close win. Last year, Duhan van der Merwe scored two memorable tries – one showcasing his individual talent and the other a beautifully executed team effort. This made Townsend the first Scottish coach to achieve consecutive wins in London.

In 2020, there was an unusual occurrence in the fixture where England narrowly won at a stormy Murrayfield. This was a fortunate game for Russell, who was not playing at the time due to a disagreement with Townsend. Previously, he had lost three matches against England, but now has a record of four wins and one draw in eight meetings.

He is not assuming success. Being one of the few remaining players who were part of the 61-21 loss at Twickenham in 2017, he has experienced both victory and defeat in the Calcutta Cup.

“Some members of our team may have only experienced victories against England. They have not yet faced the challenge of conceding 60 points at Twickenham. However, I have. Nevertheless, it is a positive sign of our progress as a team. In just five years, everything can change rapidly.”

Scotland still struggles to maintain consistency in their performances throughout the Six Nations tournament. Despite almost losing in Cardiff and faltering against France, they must deliver a solid 80-minute performance to prevent England from making a comeback.

This match is crucial for the Scottish team as it is their last opportunity to secure a top-two finish and have a chance at achieving a tangible goal when they face Dublin on the final day.

Source: theguardian.com