The result of Wales’ match against Ireland earlier in the day may make England’s Test against Scotland irrelevant, but Eddie Jones’ men will still look to end their campaign on a high at Twickenham on Saturday.
England v Scotland
16 March 19h00
Twickenham Stadium
To Win
England 1/14
Draw 30/1
Scotland 7/1
Handicap
England (-18.5) 9/10
Scotland (+18.5) 9/10
If Wales beat Ireland on Saturday afternoon, they will be crowned Six Nations and Grand Slam champions. However, if the Irish force an upset in Cardiff then all eyes will be on Twickenham that evening.
In such a scenario, an England win over Scotland should make them champions, depending on whether or not they require a bonus-point to do so. Irrespective of the results on Saturday, England will finish in the top three.
A “top three finish”, though, isn’t exactly what Mr Jones would have been aiming for at the start of the competition. And, with a third title in four years still a possibility, England will be as anxious as ever for the weekend to roll on by.
The performance England put out at home may depend a lot on Wales’ result and just how well they react to it. They may be professional athletes expected to go out and put on a respectable showing, but they are also human, and the psychological effects of the situation will cause strain.
Scotland, on the other hand, have nothing to lose after another campaign full of abject disappointment. Three losses in four is simply not a good enough return for such a talented outfit and these results may come back to bite them from a confidence perspective at the World Cup.
Still, a second win over the English in as many years is an attractive prospect, and one would expect Gregor Townsend’s men to rally together and produce at least a competitive showing against their age-old rivals.
With both sides without a host of first-choice players, it will be up to the rest of the respective squads to put on a show.
Verdict: England bonus-point win
While Scotland will be good in spurts, England’s raw physicality should power them to a handsome win at the home of rugby.
