Few rivalries in rugby ignite as much passion as Scotland versus England, and the stage is set once again for a Calcutta Cup showdown at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on February 14, 2026. Both teams enter this Six Nations Round 2 clash with plenty on the line, history in the balance, and a raucous crowd ready to witness another chapter in one of the sport’s oldest feuds.
England, riding a wave of momentum, are aiming to extend their remarkable winning streak to 13 games across all competitions. Their recent form has been nothing short of sensational, with Steve Borthwick’s side notching up 12 consecutive victories since their last defeat to Ireland on February 1, 2025. During this run, the English have dispatched heavyweights such as New Zealand, Argentina (three times), Fiji, and France, climbing to No. 3 in the world rankings and putting themselves firmly in contention for Six Nations glory.
But if there’s one opponent that has consistently troubled England in recent years, it’s Scotland. The Scots have won four of the last five Calcutta Cup meetings, and their record at Murrayfield under Gregor Townsend is impressive: three wins from four home games against England, including the last two in a row. The psychological scars of previous encounters run deep, and England know all too well how quickly fortunes can change north of the border.
Last year’s clash at Twickenham was a turning point for Borthwick’s men. England edged out Scotland by a single point, halting a painful run of defeats and sparking their current streak. Since then, the Red Rose have gone from strength to strength, culminating in a dominant 48-7 win over Wales to open their 2026 Six Nations campaign. That performance showcased England’s formidable ball-carrying power—boasting a dominant carry rate of 41% and a gainline success rate of 73%, the best of any team in Round 1. They also averaged an impressive 4.7 metres per carry and demonstrated a tackle evasion rate of 24%, higher than any other Tier 1 nation since the start of 2025.
“England have the best tackle evasion rate (24%) of any Tier 1 nation since the start of 2025,” noted Opta Analyst, emphasizing just how difficult Borthwick’s side are to contain when they build momentum. Only South Africa has a better gainline success rate (66.2%) than England’s 65.7% over the same period, and England’s defense is equally robust, with a gainline denial rate of 33%—third best among top international teams.
Scotland, meanwhile, are under pressure following a disappointing 18-15 loss to Italy in torrential rain to open their Six Nations campaign. The defeat dropped them to No. 10 in the world rankings, their lowest position in years and, notably, behind Italy. It’s a far cry from the highs of 2018, when Finn Russell’s audacious pass helped Scotland to a 25-13 victory over England at Murrayfield—their first home win against the old enemy in a decade. Two survivors from that famous day, Russell and Huw Jones, remain key figures in the current squad, and their experience could prove invaluable as the Scots look to bounce back.
“It was the pass that turned a defence inside out and twisted history upside down,” recalled BBC Sport of Russell’s moment of magic in 2018. Since then, the fixture has become a true litmus test for both nations, with England tasting victory just twice in the last eight meetings. The Auld Enemy’s recent dominance at Murrayfield has transformed the rivalry from an annual English expectation to a genuine Scottish stronghold.
Yet, Scotland’s recent form is cause for concern. They’ve lost three of their last five matches overall, and their attack has struggled to convert opportunities into points. Since the start of 2025, only Argentina (2.6) have a lower points-per-attacking-22m-entry rate than Scotland’s 2.67. Their gainline success rate stands at 57%, ahead of only Wales among Six Nations sides. Against Italy, Scotland did boss the breakdown, registering the quickest attacking ruck speed (3.12 seconds) and slowest defensive ruck speed (4.44 seconds), but failed to translate that dominance into a winning scoreline.
Jack Dempsey was the only Scottish player to feature in the top 10 fantasy performers in Round 1, while Huw Jones—who has scored six tries in six starts against England—remains a potent attacking threat, averaging 44 metres gained per game and 11 defenders beaten in those clashes. For England, the fantasy points were spread more widely, with George Ford taking the top spot, Ben Earl, Tommy Freeman, and hat-trick hero Henry Arundell all making the top seven. Guy Pepper, a rising star in the English back row, is one to watch: in just 42 minutes against Argentina last summer, he gained 46 metres from five carries, made two breaks, beat five defenders, and contributed across the board with tackles, turnovers, and assists.
As for the lineups, both teams bring a blend of experience and youthful exuberance. Scotland’s starting XV features Tom Jordan, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, captain Sione Tuipulotu, Jamie Dobie, Finn Russell, Ben White, Nathan McBeth, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge, and Jack Dempsey. England counters with Freddie Steward, Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Arundell, George Ford, Alex Mitchell, Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Heyes, captain Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, and Ben Earl. Both benches are stacked with impact players, including Tom Curry for England and Darcy Graham for Scotland.
This match carries added significance for Scotland’s coach Gregor Townsend, who celebrates his 100th game in charge. The Opta supercomputer gives his team a 25.4% chance of marking the milestone with a win, while England are pre-game favorites at 74.1%. The predicted scoreline suggests England could nearly double Scotland’s tally at Murrayfield (16-31), but if recent history has taught us anything, this fixture rarely follows the script.
Kickoff is set for 11:40 a.m. ET, with fans across the globe tuning in via BBC, ITV, Peacock, and other major broadcasters. With the Calcutta Cup at stake, momentum, history, and national pride all hang in the balance. Will England’s winning run roll on, or can Scotland summon the spirit of 2018 and reignite their campaign?
All eyes are on Murrayfield, where another fierce battle is about to unfold. Whatever the outcome, this storied rivalry promises drama, intensity, and the kind of rugby that keeps fans coming back year after year.