The pressure has intensified on the teams that faced defeat in the opening week, each to varying extents, as crucial matches approach in the second round of the Six Nations.
Ireland, who suffered a setback against France on the first night, will welcome an Italian side to Dublin that is buoyed by a notable victory over Scotland in Rome.
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This outcome has left Scotland in urgent need of a win against England in the Calcutta Cup.
Here are the key points to consider ahead of the upcoming fixtures.
Calcutta Cup encounter gains added significance as Scotland falls to Italy
Scotland does not require any additional motivation to prepare for a match against England, but following their unexpected loss to Italy, this Saturday’s contest carries extra weight for Gregor Townsend’s team.
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A victory over their historic rivals would greatly uplift spirits in Scotland, but an English win at Murrayfield, their first since 2020, would further dampen the atmosphere surrounding what is expected to be an exciting group of players. Criticism has been vocal in Scotland since the weekend, and pressure is mounting on Townsend, who is reportedly set to leave after the World Cup.
If they fail to deliver a strong performance this week, which seems plausible given their recent form, the outlook could be grim. However, if there is a match that could shift their fortunes (or at least create that impression), it is a win against their oldest rivals – James Regan.
However, England must overcome Edinburgh challenges
Murrayfield has not been a favorable venue for England lately. They have secured only one victory in their last four visits, with the lingering memory of Duhan van der Merwe breaking through their defense. Thus, on Saturday, they will face a team eager to rectify the mistakes made in Rome, alongside a coach whose job security is becoming increasingly uncertain.
Despite recent results indicating that this should be an England win — potentially their 13th consecutive victory — history and pressure can distort form and logic. England is still in search of a definitive away victory under Borthwick in the Six Nations.
They achieved a commendable double over Argentina last summer and convincingly defeated Wales last year in Cardiff. However, to retain the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield and secure a win there for the first time since 2020 would be a significant achievement and could serve as a psychological boost.
The positive news is that Ollie Lawrence will be available, with Fin Smith also returning to the fold. With Immanuel Feyi-Waboso potentially sidelined for the remainder of the championship, Lawrence’s return would allow Tommy Freeman to move back to the wing, or Borthwick might maintain the same center pairing and include Cadan Murley or Elliot Daly in the back three.
Regardless, if England aims to enter the final round with title aspirations, a victory in Scotland is essential to propel them forward. Borthwick has already marked the France-England match on March 14, anticipating a significant turnout of England supporters crossing the Channel. However, this weekend’s match is expected to be fiercely challenging — the historical context and emotional weight make this encounter a balanced 50/50 situation.
“You get off the bus at Murrayfield and there are just people on top of you,” Ollie Chessum remarked. “Once you hear that boo it just hits you in the face and it doesn’t stop until the whistle goes. It really doesn’t stop if you don’t try and shut them up early. I love that.”
England requires a definitive away victory. They are progressing steadily, but it is time for them to break their Murrayfield curse – Tom Hamilton.
France favored for Grand Slam success, with struggling Wales on the horizon
If the first 40 minutes against Ireland are any indication, it will take something extraordinary to halt France this year.
They eased off slightly in the second half but intensified their efforts again to finish strongly, showcasing their strength. One can only imagine the potential outcome in Cardiff on Sunday.
Welsh captain Dewi Lake acknowledged that they had “let the nation down” with their performance against England. It is hoped that Wales can significantly improve their discipline and prevent the blue wave from overwhelming them, but if they choose to, France could amass a substantial score – Regan.
