England is set to defend the Calcutta Cup in a thrilling rematch against Scotland during the Six Nations championship. This historic rivalry traces its roots back to the first-ever international rugby match, and the anticipation for this year’s encounter is palpable as England aims to build on last year’s narrow victory, which marked the end of Scotland’s recent dominance in the fixture.
The match will take place on Saturday, February 14, Valentine’s Day, starting at 4:40 PM, and will unfold at the iconic Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. This venue, with a capacity of 67,000, has seen intense bouts between the two sides, with Scotland claiming 31 victories over England’s 30, alongside 11 draws throughout their encounters on home turf.
Fans in the UK can watch the match live on ITV1, as all Six Nations games are available on free-to-air television. The match is expected to generate excitement, even during commercial breaks while players prepare for scrums.
Refereeing the match will be Nika Amashukeli, a prominent Georgian official recognized as one of the top referees in the world. Amashukeli has experience officiating high-profile matches, including the Champions Cup final and significant international games.
In terms of team news, England will see Maro Itoje return to captain the side after missing training due to personal reasons. The team has made only one change from their commanding 48-7 win over Wales, with hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie stepping into the starting lineup.
Scotland’s coach, Gregor Townsend, has responded to his team’s disappointing loss to Italy last weekend by implementing four changes to the starting pack. After struggling with the set-pieces during their opening fixture, they hope to turn their fortunes around against England.
Historically, England last secured the Six Nations title in 2020, while Scotland, who have not won during the Six Nations era, were Five Nations champions in 1999. The last meeting between these two rivals saw England edge Scotland 16-15 at Twickenham, breaking a streak of four consecutive losses to them in the Calcutta Cup fixtures.
With the stakes high and both teams looking to assert their dominance, this year’s match promises to be a highlight of the rugby calendar, embodying the spirit of competition that the Six Nations is celebrated for. Fans eagerly anticipate a fierce battle as England fights to retain the Calcutta Cup and Scotland looks to regain their honor on home soil.