The majority of the players who will be on show on Saturday weren’t involved in the bonkers 38-38 draw on the last occasion these sides met at Twickenham. Just 18 out of the 46 who played that night return 2 years on – 12 Englishmen and 6 Scots. On the Scottish side, Hamish Watson is the only member of the starting pack from 2019 who is back for more.
Tale of the tape
BACKS
98 Tries 51
92kg Average weight 96kg
383 Total caps 246
153 6N caps 113
0 6N debuts 1
28.0 Average age 27.7
FORWARDS
916kg Pack weight 898kg
24 Tries 19
235 Total caps 203
94 6N caps 79
0 6N debuts 1
27.0 Average age 26.2
SUBSTITUTES
219 Total caps 140
85 6N caps 64
2 6N debuts 2
20 Tries 16
27.4 Average age 29.4
5 changes to Scotland starting XV from last Test (v Ireland)
- 14 – Maitland for Graham [=]
- 12 – Redpath for Taylor [=]
- 10 – Russell for van der Walt [+]
- 2 – Turner for Brown [-]
- 7/6 – Watson for Thomson with Ritchie to 6 [+]
ENGLAND
15 Elliot Daly
14 Anthony Watson
13 Henry Slade
12 Ollie Lawrence
11 Jonny May
10 Owen Farrell (c)
9 Ben Youngs
HEAD-TO-HEAD
ADV Scotland
ADV England
ADV England
EVEN
ADV England
ADV Scotland
EVEN
SCOTLAND
15 Stuart Hogg (c)
14 Sean Maitland
13 Chris Harris
12 Cameron Redpath
11 D. van der Merwe
10 Finn Russell
9 Ali Price
1 Ellis Genge
2 Jamie George
3 Will Stuart
4 Maro Itoje
5 Jonny Hill
6 Mark Wilson
7 Tom Curry
8 Billy Vunipola
EVEN
ADV England
ADV Scotland
ADV England
ADV Scotland
ADV Scotland
EVEN
ADV England
1 Rory Sutherland
2 George Turner
3 Zander Fagerson
4 Scott Cummings
5 Jonny Gray
6 Jamie Ritchie
7 Hamish Watson
8 Matt Fagerson
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
17 Beno Obano
18 Harry Williams
19 Courtney Lawes
20 Ben Earl
21 Dan Robson
22 George Ford
23 Max Malins
ADV England
ADV Scotland
EVEN
ADV England
EVEN
ADV England
ADV England
ADV Scotland
16 David Cherry
17 Oli Kebble
18 Willem Nel
19 Richie Gray
20 Gary Graham
21 Scott Steele
22 Jaco van der Walt
23 Huw Jones
Overall
Backs – advantage England
Both sets of backs don’t lack for exciting strike runners. As ever though much will depend on the quality of ball provided by the forwards and the willingness of the respective sides’ half backs to unleash the weapons at their disposal. Advantage England in the former but to Scotland for the latter.
After a pretty drab Autumn Nations Cup here’s hoping it’s full Finnsanity from the off and this tournament reminds everyone what an amazing spectacle top class rugby can be.
Forwards – slight advantage England
Even with some high profile absentees this is a very strong English pack. Scotland are able to select their first choice 8 bar Fraser Brown or Stuart McInally at hooker. In a Lions year, Scottish forwards will rarely have a better chance to make a big statement to push their case for selection. It’s going to require an almighty effort though to show that they can live with the side that have set standards in the Northern Hemisphere for the last couple of years.
England’s weight advantage in the forwards doesn’t tell the full story. While the home side are significantly heavier in the back row it’s actually the Scots who have a slight edge in the tight 5.
Subs – advantage England
Scotland still have a few key positions where they are exploring their options. Gary Graham’s early season form makes him the pick of the Scots to make an impact when they join the fray.
Miscellany
– In his last three appearances against England (for Scotland and the Barbarians) Finn Russell has been Player of the Match twice; scored 2 tries; and had the last pass (or kick) for another 5 scores.
– This is Ali Price’s 10th consectuive start at scrum half. That’s the longest such streak for a Scottish 9 since Greig Laidlaw played 18 in a row between February 2013 and June 2014.
– 11 of Scotland’s starting XV came through the Academy system.
– The Scottish backline is dominated by Exiles who account for 5 of the 7 starters. With Duhan van der Merwe moving South next season, Ali Price will be the only holdout from this group at the two pro teams.
– It’s just under 4 years since Richie Gray’s last start for Scotland. In the intervening period he has played just 27 minutes for the national side.
Missed Part 1? Check it out here with a scouting report on England and Scottish history with the referee, Mr Brace.