In the ever-intense rivalry between Scotland and England in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, Scotland, under the stewardship of head coach Gregor Townsend, has shown remarkable dominance in recent years. The question is: why have Scotland managed to hold a seemingly insurmountable hex on England in recent Six Nations encounters, particularly in the Calcutta Cup fixture? As Scotland heads into their match at Twickenham on February 22, 2025, they have a chance to secure their fifth consecutive victory over the English, a feat that would mark a historic achievement for the Scottish team.
Scotland’s Recent Success Against England
When we talk about Scotland’s success in recent Six Nations clashes against England, the numbers speak for themselves. The Scots have triumphed in four consecutive encounters, a streak they haven’t achieved since 1896. If Scotland beats England again on February 22, they will make history by becoming the first Scottish side to secure five straight wins in the Calcutta Cup fixture, an iconic annual battle for supremacy.
This dominance is all the more impressive given the long period when England had a stranglehold on the fixture, making life difficult for Scotland year after year. But, under the leadership of Gregor Townsend, Scotland has flipped the script, making Twickenham, once a fortress for England, a place where they have gone unbeaten in their last three visits.
Townsend’s Impact and Record Against England
Gregor Townsend’s tenure as Scotland head coach has been a period of transformation for the Scottish rugby team. Townsend, once a fly-half for Scotland, has not only revitalized the team’s tactical approach but also injected a new sense of belief. His head-to-head record against England is an enviable one. In his seven Calcutta Cup matches as head coach, Townsend has guided Scotland to five victories, one draw, and just one defeat. Such statistics are testament to the progress Scotland has made under his leadership.
Previously, Scotland was often left to play the role of the underdog, struggling against an English team that had a firm grasp on the Calcutta Cup. But in recent seasons, the tables have turned. Scotland, under Townsend’s coaching, has not only been competitive but has successfully brought down the fear factor that once plagued them.
Breaking England’s Fear Factor
One pivotal moment in this dramatic shift came in 2018, when Scotland broke England’s dominance over them in the Six Nations. The Scots defeated England 25-13 at Murrayfield, ending a 10-year winless streak in the fixture. The victory was no fluke. It was a comprehensive performance where Scotland displayed dazzling attacking rugby and psychological resilience. Players like Finn Russell and Huw Jones were instrumental in the win, with Russell’s masterful performance and Jones’ two tries etching their names into Scottish rugby folklore.
Former Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw, who was part of the winning side in 2018, reflected on the significance of that victory. “Getting over the line in 2018 was definitely a massive one psychologically for the group,” he said. “Finn had a strong game, Huw obviously stepped up to the plate and those boys have probably been at the forefront of the last few Scotland victories in this fixture.”
That win against England in 2018 was the beginning of the end of the so-called “fear factor” that England once had over Scotland. It marked a turning point, a psychological victory, where the English aura of invincibility was shattered. From that point on, England was no longer guaranteed success when facing Scotland.
Scotland’s Mentality and Strategic Shift
Following the 2018 victory, Scotland’s mentality and strategic approach have evolved. While the Scots have not always won comfortably, they have managed to keep the pressure on England in each of their subsequent encounters. The average final score in the last seven meetings has been close, with Scotland edging out England 23-19 on average. This illustrates that while the games have been competitive, Scotland has managed to hold the upper hand in crucial moments.
Scotland’s ability to get on the front foot and play expansive, attacking rugby has become a hallmark of their game. According to Laidlaw, Scotland’s recent approach has been more aggressive compared to England’s often conservative tactics. “Scotland have very much looked forward to this game more than England have in the last number of years,” he said. “Scotland have been on the front foot and it’s almost like England have just tried to defend their way to a win rather than using their attack.”
The Finn Russell Factor: A Key to Scotland’s Success
Central to Scotland’s recent dominance over England is the exceptional talent of Finn Russell, the mercurial fly-half. Russell’s performances in the Calcutta Cup matches have been nothing short of magical, with moments like his “Pass of the Century” in 2018 and his inspiring leadership in the 31-0 comeback at Twickenham in 2019 solidifying his status as one of Scotland’s greatest rugby players.
Russell’s skill, vision, and tactical acumen have enabled Scotland to break down England’s defense and unlock opportunities in ways that previous generations of Scottish players could only dream of. Whether it’s his game-changing kicks, his pinpoint passes, or his ability to control the tempo of the game, Russell has proven to be Scotland’s talisman in the fixture against England.
However, Russell’s status as Scotland’s key player is not without its challenges. Having suffered a head injury against Ireland, there are concerns about his fitness for the upcoming match at Twickenham. Despite this, Russell’s importance to Scotland’s chances cannot be overstated. As former England international Chris Ashton noted, Russell is always a man to step up in big games, and if he plays, he will undoubtedly be a key figure in any Scottish victory over England.
England’s Response: The Pressure to Avoid a Fifth Consecutive Defeat
As Scotland has dominated the recent meetings, England’s frustration has grown. The prospect of a fifth consecutive defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals would be an unbearable burden for any English team. For many of the current England squad, this is uncharted territory. With only a few players having experienced such a long losing streak against Scotland, the pressure is building on Steve Borthwick’s side to finally break the Scottish hex.
Chris Ashton, who was part of an England team that defeated Scotland four times during his career, acknowledged the psychological weight of the situation. “I can’t really comprehend being beaten by Scotland four times in a row,” Ashton said. “That is not something I would want hanging over my head.” The looming specter of Scotland’s dominance will surely motivate the English players to dig deep and end their recent losing run.
Scotland Continued Confidence and Borthwick’s Challenge
Looking ahead to Saturday’s encounter, the stakes are high for both teams. Scotland will be aiming for a historic fifth consecutive victory, while England will be desperate to avoid further embarrassment. Gregor Townsend’s side will go into the match full of confidence, buoyed by their recent successes and the knowledge that they have the upper hand in this fixture.
Meanwhile, England’s performance against France in Round 2 of the Six Nations was a much-needed morale boost, giving them some momentum going into this crucial clash. Laidlaw believes that the upcoming match will be a challenge for Scotland, saying, “England will be a lot more confident now after just getting over the line against France. It’s going to be a big ask for Scotland to win this weekend. I hope I’m wrong.”
Ultimately, the outcome of this game will come down to which team can execute their game plan effectively. Scotland attacking prowess and mental resilience will be tested, while England will need to play with conviction and belief to avoid yet another defeat in a fixture that has increasingly been defined by Scottish dominance.
Conclusion: The Calcutta Cup Hex Continues?
In recent years, Scotland has had the upper hand over England in the Calcutta Cup, thanks to a combination of mental toughness, tactical innovation, and the standout performances of players like Finn Russell. Gregor Townsend’s influence on the team has been a crucial factor in this shift, and Scotland will be hoping to continue their winning streak when they visit Twickenham this weekend.
As England prepares for the challenge of breaking Scotland’s hex, one thing is certain: the match will be a thrilling and intense contest, with both teams fighting not just for the Calcutta Cup, but for rugby supremacy in the Six Nations. The rivalry between Scotland and England has never been more exciting, and the outcome remains uncertain as both teams gear up for another unforgettable encounter.
