04 February 2023 , 08:00
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Scotland travel south on Saturday as they look to start the 2023 Guinness Six Nations by clinching back-to-back Twickenham wins over England for the first time in their history.
More than half a century has passed since the Scots defeated The Auld Enemy in three consecutive meetings. However, that's the rare record that awaits Gregor Townsend's side if they can manage to back up victories in each of the last two editions of the Six Nations.
Steve Borthwick's first task in his debut outing as England head coach will be to stop that streak in front of a capacity crowd at Headquarters. The former Leicester Tigers chief has had barely a month to prepare since replacing Eddie Jones at the helm in December, but excitement levels are high for what's to come in a World Cup year.
While many fans may have one eye on what's to come in France later in 2023, however, Borthwick told Mirror Sport he and his squad are '100 per cent focused on being ready for Scotland.' The ex-England captain has brought a new sense of clarity to the national team's camp, with the rugby world waiting to see what's in store for a team that's drastically underperformed since reaching the Rugby World Cup final in 2019.
"Players deserve the opportunity to be best prepared for that game," said Borthwick. "I think our supporters expect that. When you watch a game, you're wanting to see the team go play their hearts out and not thinking about something in the future, what might be or what might not be."
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Scotland edged their hosts 11-6 when they last visited Twickenham in 2021 and drew a 38-38 blockbuster two years prior to that. Townsend's men make the trip this year as steep underdogs despite that recent record, however, with a major point to prove as they hope to rain on Borthwick's parade.
Who do you think will win Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash? Let us know in the comments section.
Steve Borthwick will make his debut as England head coach in a much-anticipated Calcutta Cup clash (David Rogers/Getty Images)What time is England vs Scotland?
England open their Six Nations against Scotland at Twickenham with a 4.45pm kick-off on Saturday (Feb. 4).
Where can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast live on ITV.
It will also be live streamed on supported devices via ITVX.
Team news
England: Steward; Malins, Marchant, Farrell (captain), Hassell-Collins; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Chessum; Ludlam, B. Curry, Dombrandt. Subs: Walker, M. Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, Earl; Youngs, Lawrence, Watson.
Scotland: Hogg; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Nel; R. Gray, Gilchrist; Ritchie (captain), Crosbie, M. Fagerson. Subs: Brown, Bhatti, Berghan, J. Gray, Dempsey; Horn, Kinghorn, Harris
Betting odds
England: 1/4
Scotland: 3/1
Draw: 27/2
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Odds collected from Ladbrokes and subject to change