Calcutta Cup 2023

Live on RTE 2 and ITV/STV. Live commentary on BBC Radio as well.

England XV: Steward; Malins, Marchant, Farrell (c), Hassell-Collins; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Chessum, Ludlam, B Curry, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, Earl, Youngs, Lawrence, Watson.

Scotland XV: Hogg; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Nel; R Gray, Gilchrist; Ritchie (c), Crosbie, M Fagerson.

Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, Berghan, J Gray, Dempsey, Horne, Kinghorn, Harris.

Rugby's oldest competition at the Cabbage Field is todays second test. The visitors come into todays game not having lost at Twickers since 2015 having successfully defended the cup in 2021 and 2022, as well as successfully defending their 5 Nations title since 1999; modest much? Shirley not. Anyway, with a new England coach coming in since the new year, the odds are less in favour of a home win than one would expect.

No Healy this week though, nor is there a Tuilagi. Unlike Cardiff, I'm expecting a more competitive game but this time round I'll go with a home win 29-24.