England vs Scotland LIVE! Six Nations rugby updates before Calcutta Cup showdown

England vs Scotland LIVE! Six Nations rugby updates before Calcutta Cup showdown
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England vs Scotland LIVE! Six Nations rugby updates before Calcutta Cup showdown
Author: George Flood and Simon Collings
Published: Feb, 22 2025 14:23

England vs Scotland LIVE!. The Calcutta Cup takes centre stage as the Six Nations returns for round three this afternoon. After Wales host Ireland in Cardiff, the focus quickly moves onto Twickenham as the auld enemies renew hostilities once again. England head into today’s clash with a renewed sense of optimism after finally ending their frustrating run of close defeats by rival Tier One nations with a thrilling last-gasp victory over France.

 [Finn Russell kicks a penalty for Scotland during the Six Nations]
Image Credit: The Standard [Finn Russell kicks a penalty for Scotland during the Six Nations]

Those late heroics have eased the pressure on Steve Borthwick and provided hope for a kick-start to his reign, though it must be followed up with another positive result here to avoid being labelled as merely a false dawn. Scotland have turned the tide and dominated this rivalry in recent years, winning four in a row dating back to 2021 and victorious on each of their last two trips to south-west London.

 [Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum in England training]
Image Credit: The Standard [Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum in England training]

England have won just one of the last seven in the Calcutta Cup, though will have their eye on revenge against Gregor Townsend’s men who were brushed aside by Ireland last time out. Follow England vs Scotland in the Six Nations live below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Allianz Stadium.

 [The Calcutta Cup is pictured before England face Scotland in the Six Nations]
Image Credit: The Standard [The Calcutta Cup is pictured before England face Scotland in the Six Nations]

Scotland have star fly-half Finn Russell fit to start after that nasty clash of heads with team-mate Darcy Graham in the first half against Ireland that saw both players taken off. Russell has progressed through the necessary return-to-play protocols and did actually pass his head injury assessment (HIA) after the incident, though he was kept off the field amid concern among the Scotland medics.

Graham was stretchered off and later diagnosed with concussion as he was taken to hospital as a precaution. He has not made the squad today, with Kyle Rowe coming onto the wing instead. Scotland’s other two changes are in the back, with Pierre Schoeman back at loosehead in place of Rory Sutherland and former captain Jamie Ritchie preferred to Matt Fagerson at blindside flanker.

Steve Borthwick has made just one change to the England team that beat error-strewn favourites France 26-25 at home a fortnight ago thanks to that last-gasp Elliot Daly try. It’s in the second row, where Ollie Chessum has replaced George Martin to partner captain Maro Itoje.

Chessum would likely have come back in anyway, though Martin has been dealing with a knee issue since the win over Les Bleus. He was initially named on the bench for this game, but has since made way for two-cap Bath flanker Ted Hill. As you were for England otherwise, with Borthwick continuing with the Smiths as dual playmakers after the success against France - Marcus at full-back and Fin at fly-half.

TV channel: In the UK, England vs Scotland is being broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 4pm. Live stream: The game is also available to watch online via the ITVX app and website, which is free with a sign up. Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of England vs Scotland in the 2025 Six Nations.

The latest Calcutta Cup showdown between these two old rivals is the headline fixture of round three as the competition returns following its first fallow week and fireworks are always guaranteed. Kick-off this afternoon is at 4:45pm GMT, so stay tuned for build-up and live updates including expert analysis from Simon Collings at Allianz Stadium Twickenham.

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