Scotland vs England: A New Era in the Six Nations Rivalry
The Historic Rivalry
The age-old rivalry between Scotland and England in the Six Nations is a testament to the passion and intensity of international rugby. But in 2018, something extraordinary happened that changed the course of this historic fixture.
For years, Scotland had struggled against England, with a string of losses and a lack of tries at home. The record was stark: Scotland had won just three of the previous 29 meetings, and the fixture had become a source of frustration for the home side.
The Turning Point
Then, in the 2018 Calcutta Cup tie, Finn Russell threw a pass that would become the defining moment of the match. With Scotland nursing a slender lead, Russell's pass was a work of art, freezing Jonathan Joseph, foxing Jonny May, and freeing Huw Jones for a gleeful gallop through England's defense. The result? A 25-13 victory for Scotland, and the beginning of a new era.
Since that day, England has struggled to break the hex that Scotland has held over them. They have tasted victory only twice in the last eight meetings, and the fixture has become a brutal benchmark that England has struggled to reach.
The Current State of Affairs
Fast forward to the present, and England is on a 12-game winning streak, with a blossoming strength in depth. They have a squad full of talented players, with options abound and momentum gathering apace. But, quietly, there are doubts that only a Murrayfield victory will ease.
Because England's winning streak started with some streaky wins. They beat France in round two of last year's Six Nations, thanks in part to Gallic butterfingers. And their one-point win over Scotland a fortnight later would have been defeat had Russell nailed a final-play conversion shot.
The Question of Road Success
The question remains: can England break the hex that Scotland has held over them in recent years? If not, back-to-back away trips to the Stade de France and Ellis Park to play France and South Africa in March and July respectively suddenly look a whole lot more daunting.
The Line-Up
England's line-up features some relative Test rookies, such as Henry Arundell and Tommy Freeman. But the team also has some experienced players, such as Joe Heyes and Tom Curry. The question is: can they break the link to the past and write a new chapter in the rivalry?
