It’s Valentine’s Day in Edinburgh, but there’s precious little love lost between Scotland and England as they square off in the Calcutta Cup—an age-old clash that’s as much about pride as it is about points. The 144th rugby meeting between these storied rivals kicks off at 4:40pm GMT at Murrayfield, with the temperature forecast to be a brisk 3°C. But if history is any guide, the action on the pitch will be anything but chilly.
Both teams arrive at this pivotal Six Nations fixture with plenty on the line. Scotland, reeling from a dispiriting 18-15 defeat to Italy in Rome just a week ago, are under pressure to bounce back and keep their campaign alive. England, meanwhile, are riding high after notching up 12 successive Test victories, but the ghosts of Murrayfield past linger—they’ve won just twice in their last eight visits to this ground.
“I think the start of the game sets the tone of who we are,” Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend emphasized ahead of his 100th Test in charge. He’s well aware that another slow opening, like the one that doomed his team in Rome, could prove costly against a confident English side. Townsend has responded by ringing the changes in his pack: Nathan McBeth earns a surprise start at loosehead, with Pierre Schoeman demoted, and the injured Ewan Ashman sidelined. Jamie Ritchie returns on the blindside, while the back three remains unchanged despite the high-profile omissions of Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn.
Scotland’s starting XV features Nathan McBeth, Dave Cherry, Zander Fagerson, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Ben White, Finn Russell, Jamie Dobie, Sione Tuipulotu (captain), Huw Jones, Kyle Steyn, and Tom Jordan. The replacements’ bench includes Pierre Schoeman, Elliot Millar Mills, Max Williamson, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Adam Hastings, and Darcy Graham.
England, on the other hand, have opted for stability. Head coach Steve Borthwick has named a settled side, reflecting the confidence of a team that’s found its groove. Maro Itoje returns as captain in the second row, replacing Alex Coles, while there’s a swap at hooker: Jamie George, who led the side against Wales, makes way for Luke Cowan-Dickie in the starting lineup. Among the replacements, a fit-again Fin Smith offers cover at fly-half and centre, while the 6-2 split on the bench signals a forward-heavy approach.
The English starting XV is comprised of Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Heyes, Maro Itoje (captain), Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, George Ford, Henry Arundell, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, Tom Roebuck, and Freddie Steward. The bench features Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, and Fin Smith.
Ben Earl, one of England’s form players, summed up the mood in the English camp: “The way we ended our Calcutta Cup drought last year can help us to yet more Six Nations success against Scotland in Edinburgh.” That 16-15 win at Twickenham in 2025 was a nail-biter, and it halted Scotland’s bid for five consecutive victories in the fixture—a streak that would have been unprecedented since the Cup’s inception in 1879.
The Calcutta Cup itself is steeped in history. The oldest trophy in international rugby, it traces its origins to 1872 in India, where the Calcutta Rugby Football Club melted down its remaining silver rupees to create a trophy gifted to the Rugby Football Union. Since then, England and Scotland have contested the Cup annually, with England winning 77 times, Scotland 44, and 19 matches ending in a draw out of 143 encounters. The original, handmade trophy is displayed at the Museum of Rugby at Twickenham, a testament to the enduring significance of this rivalry.
Classic encounters abound. Scotland’s biggest win came in 1986, a 33-6 rout at Murrayfield. In 2000, they derailed England’s Grand Slam hopes with a 19-13 victory. And who could forget the 2019 thriller, when Scotland roared back from a 31-point deficit to lead late, only for George Ford to tie it up at 38-38 in the dying seconds? Recent history, though, has favored the Scots, especially at home—England’s last two trips to Edinburgh ended in defeat, and their only win at Murrayfield in the past decade came in 2017.
This year’s contest is colored by more than just rugby. In a quirky twist, England and Scotland are also facing off in the cricket T20 World Cup in Kolkata on the same day—5,000 miles away, but with the same fierce competitive spirit. It’s a double-header that’s sure to test the hearts (and patience) of sports fans on both sides of the border.
For England, the key could be their injection of youth and energy. Players like Henry Pollock, Guy Pepper, Henry Arundell, and Alex Coles bring a fresh perspective, unburdened by past Murrayfield disappointments. George Ford, now firmly established at fly-half, has brought a sense of control and composure to the side, steering them out of tight spots with increasing regularity. “This is no longer an English side that shrinks in adversity,” noted one observer, highlighting the team’s newfound resilience.
Scotland, meanwhile, must address the issues that plagued them in Rome—zero line breaks and wobbly lineouts won’t cut it against an English team that’s adept at exploiting weaknesses. Townsend’s faith in his selected squad will be put to the test, especially given the absence of Van der Merwe and Kinghorn, who have both haunted England in the past. The hosts will need Finn Russell at his creative best if they’re to breach the English defense and rekindle their Six Nations hopes.
There’s also an intriguing subplot: several England players—Tom Roebuck, Fin Smith, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Pollock, and Bevan Rodd—are eligible for Scotland through birth or parentage. Even Henry Arundell and Sam Underhill have Scottish heritage. It’s a reminder of how intertwined these two rugby nations truly are, even as they battle for supremacy.
As kickoff approaches, anticipation is reaching fever pitch. Both teams know that victory today could shape the rest of their Six Nations campaigns. For Scotland, it’s about redemption and reigniting belief; for England, it’s about proving they can win in hostile territory and sustaining their title ambitions.
One thing’s for sure: when the whistle blows at Murrayfield, history, passion, and no shortage of drama will be on full display. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day massacre or a hard-fought classic, the Calcutta Cup remains one of rugby’s most treasured prizes—and today, it’s up for grabs once again.