Scotland v England LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations

Scotland will hope to continue their recent Calcutta Cup dominance as England come to Murrayfield for a crucial Six Nations fixture.

It is four years since England last took victory in this famous fixture, with that narrow 2020 win their sole success in the last six editions of the clash.

For Gregor Townsend’s hosts, victory is surely a must after a much-debated defeat to France before the first fallow week left their hopes of mounting a title challenge slim.

Steve Borthwick, meanwhile, will know his side must be better than against Wales as they look to continue to build momentum.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Before we get to the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield, there’s another Six Nations match happening.

Ireland are currently hosting Wales at the Aviva Stadium and they’re continuing their seemingly inexorable march to a grand slam.

They lead 17-0 at half-time with Dan Sheehan and James Lowe scoring the tries. It’s now 148 minutes without conceding a point for Ireland - a ridiculous stat really.

You can follow the second half of that clash here:

The shadows may be lengthening for Danny Care as he dances in his international twilight but the scrum-half has lost little of his trademark spark. With a cheery grin and a wry comment or three, he bounced into the room at England’s Pennyhill Park training base earlier this week, fresh off the training paddock. “Fancy this,” Care quipped, looking out on the dipping afternoon sun and back on a career on which the sun seemed to have twice set.

If his axing in 2019 before the World Cup left a slim chance of a recall, then a second unedifying dumping, after a surprise recall for the 2022 tour of Australia, appeared to have slammed the book shut for good. But Steve Borthwick brought him back for a final chapter in England white ahead of the World Cup, and Care responded by re-establishing himself in the buzzing bench role for which he has always been so well suited.

With Alex Mitchell injured, there’s every chance of a start against Scotland on Saturday that will be his first in the Six Nations for six years. It will be a 99th England cap in total – and the crepuscular Care isn’t done yet.

Gregor Townsend says Scotland’s sole focus is on winning their “biggest game of the season” against England this weekend and maintaining their recent dominance of the Calcutta Cup.

The Scots go into today’s showdown with their bitter rivals knowing they will almost certainly require a victory to stay in contention for the Guinness Six Nations title after their controversial defeat by France last time out.

Townsend is adamant that any lingering injustice from ‘trygate’ a fortnight ago has been parked and that any talk of contending for the title can remain firmly on the backburner until after their high-stakes encounter with Steve Borthwick’s side.

Could this be a match upon which the whole championship pivots? Scotland need a win to stay in the title hunt, while an England victory would set them up perfectly for the encounters with Ireland and France to come.

It’s been a tough week for Jamie George, the England skipper losing his mother last Wednesday but electing to remain in camp with his squadmates. The hooker, who spoke movingly on the subject on Thursday, is certain it is what his mum would have wanted.

Craig Chalmers has told Scotland they must ensure the sense of injustice at not winning the controversial Guinness Six Nations match against France does not derail the remainder of their championship.

The 55-year-old former fly-half was as exasperated as anyone while watching from the Murrayfield stands as referee Nic Berry and TMO Brian MacNeice decided they were unable to award the Scots a match-winning try when the ball appeared to have been grounded on the line by substitute Sam Skinner in the last action of the game.

It meant Les Bleus clung on to win 20-16, ending any hopes of a Scottish Grand Slam and ensuring bitterness and frustration in the home camp over the last fortnight.

Ollie Lawrence returns to the England midfield today, giving the visitors a much-needed carrying option in the centres. Here, we dig into the data to explain why he could be the key to getting their attack clicking:

England assistant coach Kevin Sinfield believes that Gregor Townsend deserves credit for building continuity within his Scotland squad to help them establish their Calcutta Cup supremacy.

Scotland have not beaten England in four consecutive years since the 1890s, but have the chance to repeat that feat this evening.

“I think you have to say Gregor has done a good job,” Sinfield said earlier this week. “They’ve had continuity – the vast majority of their squad comes from the two teams that play up there. I think that continuity helps. You look across the water at Ireland as well, it’s probably helped those two over the years.

“It looks like Gregor has got them playing some good stuff. They are improving and getting better each year. It’ll be a great challenge for us.

“I’ve never been one to look back and think that what has gone on in the recent past affects what is going to happen, but I think it is important we understand what has gone on. It is a reference point for us.

“We’ve been burned a couple of times, and a couple of players in the opposition team are outstanding. We’ve got to do our best to take care of them.”

Scotland are hopeful that talismanic wing Darcy Graham will be fit enough to play a part in the Guinness Six Nations even though he will stay on the sidelines fortodays Calcutta Cup showdown with England.

The 26-year-old – who is second on the national team’s all-time try-scoring list – missed the opening two matches of the championship against Wales and France with a quad problem.

Graham was scheduled to return to the fold for this weekend’s Murrayfield clash with England, but it emerged on Monday that he had suffered a new groin issue while training with Edinburgh last week, which has ruled him out of contention.