Scotland v England: Visitors can mint new era in Six Nations tie
Because England’s winning streak started with serial victories.
Victory over France in the second round of last year’s Six Nations was partly powered by the Gauls.
Had Russell scored a conversion shot in the final game, the one-point victory over Scotland a fortnight later would have been a defeat.
After closing the Six Nations campaign with wins over Italy and Wales, England, without 14 British and Irish Lions, impressed to defeat Argentina twice in a two-Test tour.
But the Pumas also lacked full strength, battered by 12 months of demand from their star players.
Victory over New Zealand was the highlight of England’s autumn, but the subsequent sacking of Scott Robertson showed the All Blacks were not picking up the tools with their usual gusto.
England’s current run is built around Twickenham. Can they get on the road and break the spell that Scotland has cast over them in recent years?
Otherwise, back-to-back away trips to the Stade de France and Ellis Park to play France and South Africa in March and July respectively suddenly look a lot more daunting.
They have some relative Test rookies in their squad. Henry Arundell has improved a lot defensively but was barely tested against Wales last week. Tommy Freeman is learning the job at centre, a potential opening that Sione Tuipulotu and Jones will look to exploit. With eight caps, Guy Pepper will be the target of crafty opposite number Jamie Ritchie.
Elsewhere, Luke Cowan-Dickie may falter on the pitch during his absence, while England’s reserves have not accelerated their move away from Wales as Borthwick had hoped; The home team trailed by a relatively narrow 19-7 in the second half.
These are little puns. Certainly compared to Scotland’s.
Gregor Townsend’s men were shaken by defeat against Italy; This could mark the beginning of the end for a generation of both manager and star players.
But those happier, more distant memories still linger in their lineup.
Two names remain from the 23 players who beat England eight years ago; Russell making the pass and Jones catching the pass.
England needs to break its ties with the past.
