England vs Scotland Prediction: Jones to keep visitors in touch

For the first time since the early 1970s, Scotland are going in search of a fifth successive win over England in this Calcutta Cup tussle. Back then, the Red Rose won out 20-13 in West London and Scotland's wait for five-in-a-row remains unsatisfied.

Enda McElhinney provides his best bets in his England vs Scotland prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Steve Borthwick has attempted to keep changes at a premium following England's last-gasp win over France a fortnight ago, with Ollie Chessum replacing Leicester Tigers colleague George Martin in the second row in the only starting alteration.

Martin, 23, was named amongst the replacements but the Leicester player has not recovered from a knee concern and his spot there goes to Bath flanker Ted Hill.

Fin Smith was the hero against France and retains the fly-half shirt for his second Test start, with namesake Marcus at 15.

In the No.10 shirt for the Scots is Finn Russell, the co-captain cleared following concussion protocols after going off early in the defeat to Ireland.

Gregor Townsend hands starts to loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman and flanker Jamie Ritchie, replacing the benched duo of Rory Sutherland and Matt Fagerson.

England vs Scotland Odds

Despite a recent record of one win in seven meetings, England are strong favourites at 3/10 to win the Calcutta Cup clash, with Scotland at 13/5 and the draw – which has happened twice since 2010 in Six Nations clashes between these rivals - priced at 20/1.

England are 21/20 to successfully give up a nine-point start to the visiting Scots on the three-way handicap.

Scotland +9 @ 5/6

England were 40-points too strong for Scotland in a 61-21 win here in 2017 but the Red Rose have only managed one victory in seven attempts against their near neighbours since then.

Last year, the Scots had nine points to spare in Edinburgh, the biggest gap between these rivals in six meetings.

England appear to now possess a power advantage, but with talisman Finn Russell in the side, the Scots have that creative free spirit.

Since that drubbing here in 2017, Scotland's only loss has come by seven at Murrayfield in 2020. The margins since in four wins for Townsend's side have been five, three, six and nine points.

There can be no masking that French errors contributed massively to their 26-25 loss here a fortnight ago.

The Scots, while well beaten by Ireland in a 32-18 loss at Murrayfield, could count themselves unfortunate in the manner they lost Russell and Darcy Graham midway through the opening half.

England look too short in the match betting and taking Scotland with a nine-point start is the way to go.

Huw Jones to score a try @ 12/5

Centre Huw Jones helped himself to a hat-trick in Scotland's win over Italy and is a likely sort to get over the endline in London.

The 31-year-old Glasgow Warriors player has touched down five times against the Auld Enemy, three of them coming at Twickenham, including in the 29-23 win here in 2023.

He is a man for the big occasion, and there are still doubts over England's centre partnership of Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence, so a 23^rd international try could be incoming.

Offers

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