The oldest rivalry in international rugby is set to ignite once again as Scotland hosts England at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on February 14, 2026, for Round 2 of the Six Nations. With the Calcutta Cup on the line, both sides arrive with contrasting momentum, but neither lacks motivation or history in this storied fixture.
England, riding high on a 13-game winning streak across all competitions, are looking to bury the ghosts of recent Calcutta Cup heartbreaks and assert their dominance in the Six Nations. Their current run is their best since winning 18 consecutive matches between 2015 and 2017, and coach Steve Borthwick’s men have shown both power and polish in recent performances. But if there’s one opponent that has consistently troubled England in recent years, it’s Scotland.
Scotland, meanwhile, are under pressure after a disappointing 18-15 defeat to Italy in torrential rain during Round 1. That loss dropped them to No. 10 in the world rankings—their lowest position in years and, notably, behind Italy. Gregor Townsend’s squad has now lost three of its last five matches, but recent history in this rivalry still favors the Scots. They’ve won four of the last five Calcutta Cup meetings, including three of their last four home games against England under Townsend’s stewardship. The last time these teams met at Murrayfield, Scotland emerged victorious, and the home crowd will be eager for more of the same.
Yet, England’s recent form can’t be ignored. Their opening Six Nations match saw them dismantle a struggling Wales team 48-7, wrapping up the bonus point by halftime and showcasing a dominant carry rate (41%) and gainline success rate (73%)—the best of any side in Round 1. They averaged 4.7 metres per carry and have boasted the best tackle evasion rate (24%) among Tier 1 nations since 2025. Only South Africa has a better gainline success rate in that period, and England’s defense has been equally impressive, with the third-best gainline denial rate (33%).
“If they can maintain the form they’ve shown over the last 12 months then it will be very hard for Scotland to shackle them,” noted one analyst. England’s depth has also improved, with players like Ollie Lawrence and Joe Heyes pushing for places, and seasoned campaigners such as Tom Curry now coming off the bench. The team’s winning streak features victories over heavyweights like New Zealand, Argentina (three times), Fiji, and France, climbing them to No. 3 in the world rankings.
But Murrayfield is no easy hunting ground. The last time England traveled north, they were stung by a narrow defeat, and their current run includes some nervy wins—like last year’s one-point squeaker over Scotland, which could have gone the other way had Finn Russell converted a late kick. England’s ability to win on the road, especially at Murrayfield, remains a lingering question. “There are doubts that only a Murrayfield victory will ease,” as one commentator put it.
Scotland still has plenty of talent at its disposal, but ruthlessness has been lacking. Against Italy, they dominated the breakdown, posting the fastest attacking ruck speed (3.12 seconds) and slowest defensive ruck speed (4.44 seconds), but failed to convert pressure into points. Since 2025, Scotland has the second-lowest points-per-attacking-22m-entry rate (2.67), ahead of only Argentina, and their gainline success rate (57%) is second lowest behind Wales.
Coach Gregor Townsend prepares for his 100th game in charge—a significant milestone, though perhaps bittersweet given the recent struggles. The Opta supercomputer gives Scotland a 25.4% chance of celebrating that landmark with a win, while England are pre-game favorites at 74.1%. The predicted scoreline? England 31, Scotland 16. Home fans, however, will hope their team can defy the odds and Murrayfield magic can strike again.
Scotland’s lineup for this pivotal clash features Tom Jordan at fullback, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, captain Sione Tuipulotu, Jamie Dobie, Finn Russell at fly-half, and Jack Dempsey at No. 8. The pack includes Nathan McBeth, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Jamie Ritchie, and Rory Darge. Replacements are Dave Cherry, Pierre Schoeman, Elliot Millar-Mills, Max Williamson, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Adam Hastings, and Darcy Graham.
England’s starting XV boasts Freddie Steward at fullback, Henry Arundell and Tom Roebuck on the wings, Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall in the centres, George Ford at fly-half, and Alex Mitchell at scrum-half. Up front, Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Heyes, Maro Itoje (captain), Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, and Ben Earl complete a formidable pack. The bench is stacked with Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, and Fin Smith.
Key players to watch? For Scotland, Huw Jones has a remarkable record against England—six tries in six starts, an average of 44 metres gained per game, and 11 defenders beaten. Finn Russell, one of only two survivors from the famous 2018 win, remains the creative heartbeat of the side. For England, George Ford was man-of-the-match against Wales, Ben Earl continues to impress, and Guy Pepper, with his all-action style, could be an under-the-radar difference-maker.
The stakes are high not just for bragging rights but for both teams’ Six Nations ambitions. For England, a win at Murrayfield would cement their credentials as genuine title contenders and erase any lingering doubts about their ability to win away from home. For Scotland, it’s about restoring pride, getting their campaign back on track, and marking a century of games for their head coach with a performance to remember.
Kickoff is set for 11:40 a.m. ET, with the match broadcast in the USA on Peacock and covered extensively on FloRugby’s social channels. British viewers can tune in via BBC and ITV, while fans worldwide have a host of broadcast options to follow this classic encounter.
As the teams take to the field, the tension is palpable. Can England’s winning machine keep rolling, or will Scotland conjure up another Murrayfield upset? One thing’s for sure: with the Calcutta Cup at stake, expect drama, intensity, and perhaps a twist or two before the final whistle. The action is about to unfold, and rugby fans everywhere will be watching closely as this ancient rivalry writes its next chapter.