EDINBURGH — Maro Itoje has urged England to adopt an aggressive approach and “attack the game” during their Six Nations encounter with Scotland on Saturday.
England aims to secure a victory at Murrayfield in Edinburgh for the first time in six years in a match that is proving to be vital for both teams, with the hosts facing pressure after their loss to Italy last week and the visitors seeking their first title since 2020.
Calcutta Cup matches are known for their excitement and unexpected moments. Scotland has had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning four of the last six.
Nevertheless, England will head into Saturday’s match as the favorites, and Itoje wants his team to perform accordingly. “I want us to be aggressive, precise, and play with confidence. Saturday is going to be a very physical game,” Itoje stated.
“Every time we face them, especially here, it’s always a physical encounter. I just want us to be confident; I want us to take the initiative and take pride in our performance.”
Murrayfield is consistently a challenging venue for England, with plenty of gamesmanship and psychological tactics expected from both the opposing players and fans. Pre-match confrontations in the tunnel, altercations on the field, and thrilling moments of rugby are all integral to this historic rivalry.
As England navigates a path they hope will lead to a Six Nations title and ultimately success in next year’s World Cup, Itoje acknowledged that victories in Scotland are significant milestones for a team aspiring to greatness.
“These matches, all the games throughout the Six Nations, but this one in particular is extremely important, as they all contribute to your experiences,” he remarked. “They all serve as reference points for the team, and you can — regardless of the outcome — learn and draw from that experience.”
“Of course, we are going out there on Saturday to win, and I believe this team has the capability to do so, but it is a crucial part of our journey.”
Finn Russell can make you look ‘stupid’
While Scotland’s backline, even without the familiar trio of Duhan van der Merwe, Blair Kinghorn, and Darcy Graham, can strike from any position, England must focus on neutralizing fly-half Finn Russell in particular.
However, England has not devised a specific strategy to contain him.
Assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth, who collaborated with Russell during last year’s British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, stated: “As with any game, trying to shut down one individual is not the approach we take.”
– Six Nations talking points: Can England banish Murrayfield demons vs. Scotland?
– Tournament power rankings: A two-horse race already? Italy above Ireland?
– What is the Calcutta Cup? England vs. Scotland rivalry explained
“How many coaches, especially defensive coaches, have entered with a Finn Russell plan and ended up looking rather foolish right away? So that’s not something we have pursued in that sense.”
“It’s about how we can stop Scotland and what they are capable of. We recognize the threats they pose out wide and what the players in the center can produce.”
Russell’s inconsistency with the kicking tee arguably cost Scotland another win at Twickenham last year, and with his team under significant pressure heading into the match, he will be eager to make an impact on Saturday.
‘They mean a lot’
This is one of the most eagerly awaited matches in the rugby calendar. Rich in both rugby and political history, the encounter holds considerable significance for both teams. These matches are often scrappy and tense, and while they may not always showcase the most visually appealing rugby, they still provide thrilling experiences.
“I think there are several factors at play. Weather conditions have always been a consideration, especially on days like today [with sleet and snow],” Wigglesworth noted.
“And because these matches carry so much weight, when they become tight, they tend to remain close.
“No team has really pulled away, which would force one side to chase or loosen up. The instance where Scotland came back [from 31-0 down to draw 38-38] is an example of a game where one team got ahead and the other fought back, but there haven’t been many such occurrences; it’s likely the nature of these games, they have been tight, so they have stayed tight.”
