England v Scotland predictions and rugby union tips: Calcutta Cup rivals can put on a show

Where to watch

ITV, 4.45pm Saturday

Best bet

Over 46.5 points
3pts 10-11 bet365

England to win by one to 12 points
2pts 6-4 BoyleSports

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Match preview 

Eddie Jones led England to a Grand Slam in his first year in charge and to the final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and new man at the top Steve Borthwick will be hoping to make just as strong a start in his first game in charge.

A home fixture against Scotland won't be the hardest challenge he will face, but England have won just one of the last five Calcutta Cup clashes and the last two showdowns at Twickenham will live long in the memory - a crazy 38-38 draw in 2019, when England had led by 31 points half an hour in, and an 11-6 defeat two years ago.

Borthwick has already looked to put his own stamp on the team, shying away from Jones's devotion to power and physicality up front in favour of more mobile players and an injection of pace with Jack van Poortvliet at scrum-half and London Irish winger Ollie Hassell-Collins making his debut.

Scotland are also all about mobility and pace, and although the opening round of the Six Nations tends to produce cagey affairs, where not losing is of far greater importance than winning, we could nevertheless see some welcome flair and ambition in this clash.

While the consistency to make a serious title challenge has eluded Scotland, there is no doubting their attacking endeavour and ability and they underlined that with a haul of 15 tries in their four autumn internationals.

Significantly Scotland were on the board inside the first 15 minutes of all those fixtures, including against New Zealand and Australia, and they look sure to ask questions of an England defence working with a new coach. So often the first try is the key to opening up matches and an early strike should get the ball rolling towards the bookmakers' line of 47.

The England players have spoken in the build-up about how their sole focus has been on this match and certainly a poor run of results against Scotland will have been on their minds all week. They have the set-piece strength to hold the upper hand in this game and while the visitors can push them hard, England can celebrate a close win by the end.

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