2025 Six Nations preview: England v Scotland
Everything you need to know as England host Scotland in Round 3 of the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations, with the Calcutta Cup at stake.
Steve Borthwick’s England head into the game buoyed by a last-gasp win over France at Allianz Stadium, having narrowly lost to Ireland in Round 1.
Elliot Daly’s last-minute try, followed by Fin Smith’s conversion secured a thrilling 26-25 victory against Les Bleus, with Tommy Freeman, Fin Baxter and Ollie Lawrence also scoring to earn an attacking bonus-point.
England’s last Calcutta Cup encounter with Scotland, who arrive in London on the back of an 18-32 loss to the Irish, ended in defeat, with the Scots claiming a 30-21 win.
| Where | Allianz Stadium, Twickenham |
| When | Saturday 22 February |
| Kick-off | 16:45 |
| Where to watch | ITV |
Team News
There has been a change to the England bench for the weekend, with Ted Hill replacing George Martin.
Last time out
Views from camp
Ben Earl
"I’ve always found that the higher level of rugby you’re playing, the simpler the emotional element becomes.
"You can have a game plan, but I promise you, once you get under the lights at home, it’s as gladiatorial as it gets, and you’re not going to be short of emotion or intensity."
Steve Borthwick
"We’re all aware of the recent record against Scotland, but we’re all about the here and now. They’re a very smart team and a very well-coached team, and we need to make sure we play well this weekend.
"Finn Russell has got a very varied kicking game, both long and contestable, and a very attacking kicking game. We’re going to have to be very sharp to make sure that space is covered, because he can find it.
"In space, Duhan van der Merwe is very dangerous. He’s got pace and power down that edge, and if you give him that space he’ll take it. Fundamentally, denying him that space will be important."
Stats & facts
England have made the most kicks in play (84) of any side in this year’s Six Nations whereas Scotland have made the fewest (46); 15 of England’s kicks have been grubber kicks, while Scotland have only used one.
Scotland have won eight of their last 10 men’s Test matches, their only defeats in that time coming against the top two ranked countries in World Rugby, South Africa and Ireland, their eight victories in this run have come by an average margin of 32 points.
England have won nine turnovers from jackals during this year's Six Nations, more than any other side with Tom Curry (4) winning twice as many as any other player (Ben Earl and Lorenzo Cannone, both 2).
Scotland have managed the quickest attacking ruck speed (3.3s average) of any side at this Six Nations and their tally of 235 rucks is the highest of any side.
Keep your eye on
Fin Smith at fly-half. The young Northampton Saint excelled against France in his first Test start and has been entrusted with the no.10 shirt again for Scotland’s visit to Allianz Stadium.
Ollie Chessum’s return. Chessum last started for England in last year’s Six Nations defeat to France and last started at lock against Scotland the same year.
Ellis Genge’s power. Last time England hosted Scotland, Genge scored England’s third try of the game with a characteristically powerful drive, having already carried well just two phases earlier.
Tommy Freeman’s aerial ability. Against Les Bleus, Freeman was very impressive under the high ball and managed to get on the scoresheet thanks to his athleticism in the air.
Previous encounters
Scotland 30-21 England
England 23-29 Scotland
Scotland 20-17 England
England 6-11 Scotland
Scotland 6-13 England
Related topics
- Attack
- T - Tries
- M - Metres carried
- C - Carries
- DB - Defenders beaten
- CB - Clean breaks
- P - Passes
- O - Offloads
- TC - Turnovers conceded
- TA - Try assists
- PTS - Points
- Defence
- Tackles - Tackles
- MT - Missed tackles
- TW - Turnovers won
- Kicking
- K - Kicks in play
- C - Conversions
- PG - Penalty goals
- DG - Drop goals
- Set plays
- TW - Throws won
- LW - Lineouts won
- LS - Lineout steals
- Discipline
- PC - Penalties conceded
- RC - Red cards
- YC - Yellow cards
Red Roses claim bonus-point victory against Scotland
The Red Roses stay on course for the Grand Slam after they ran nine tries to claim a 59-7 bonus-point win over Scotland at Mattioli Woods Stadium in the penultimate round of the 2025 Guinness Women's Six Nations.
England's victory came featured braces from Claudia MacDonald and Abby Dow, tries for Kelsey Clifford, Marlie Packer, Zoe Aldcroft, Abbie Ward, Lark Atkin-Davies, and 14 points from Holly Aitchison's boot. Scotland's sole try was scored by Lisa Thomson and converted by Helen Nelson.
England came out strong, entering Scotland’s 22 immediately after the whistle. Leaving the left blindside defenceless, Macdonald had multiple attempts at a try but England’s unforced errors left the scoreboard pointless.
But not for long. Moments later, on the six-minute mark, a recycled ball from Lucy Packer saw Clifford power over the white line from close range. Aitchison added the extras, giving England an early seven-point lead.
It was Clifford’s second-ever Test try, having scored her first in the previous round against Ireland.
Scotland responded by entering England’s 22, but a clean high-ball catch from MacDonald saw her break the visitors’ defensive line and bring England back into attack metres from the try-line.
Soon after, England scored two tries in quick succession. The first saw Maddie Feaunati carry the ball to within a metre of the try-line after a scrum in Scotland’s 22. Packer finished it off, claiming her 50th Test try.
The second came from Aldcroft, who intercepted Nelson's pass and unleashed her speed, sprinting from the half way line to cross the whitewash under the posts. Aitchison successfully converted both tries, extending their lead to 21-0.
England’s attack was relentless as they found their way back to the try-line moments later. But impressive defence from Jade Konkel, who is playing England for the first time in three years, turned over the ball and prevented the hosts from adding to their tally.
MacDonald got her try on the 27-minute mark and, in doing so, secured England’s bonus point. Back on the attack and approaching Scotland’s 22, a few phases of play found onrushing MacDonald, who stepped past multiple Scottish defenders to score. Aitchison added the extras, pushing the score to 28-0.
Less than ten minutes later, England scored again. Metres from the try-line, the hosts took advantage of an error in a Scottish line-out, and Ward power over from close range. Aitchison converted, giving them a 35-point lead.
England’s try-scoring frenzy was not over, with Atkin-Davies claiming the Red Roses’ sixth try as the clock ticked into the red. Aitchison kicked the conversion leaving the score 42-0 at the break.
In the first 10 minutes of the second half, the ball seesawed between both sides. Scotland’s Francesca McGhie made multiple attacking carries, but it was England to score first on the 50-minute mark.
England threw the ball across the width of the pitch before Packer offloaded to MacDonald. The winger ran down the left flank for the final stretch and touched the ball down under the posts for her second try of the game. Aitchison added the extras.
Almost half way into the second half, Scotland got on the scoreboard. A driving maul from close range saw Thomson power over. Nelson added the extras to make the score 49-7.
The 10-minute countdown was on, and England scored two tries at the hands of Dow. Ellie Kildunne offloaded to Dow on the right blindside, who then sprinted 50 metres while handing off three Scottish defenders to claim a world-class try.
One-minute from full time, the second came from MacDonald, who offloaded to Dow on the wing to touch down in the corner. Aitchison was unable to convert either try, finishing the game 59-7.
Match highlights
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