England battle Scotland in the Calcutta Cup as the 2025 Six Nations returns for round three this afternoon. After Wales host Ireland in Cardiff, the focus quickly moves on to Twickenham as the auld enemies renew hostilities once again. England head into today’s clash with a renewed sense of optimism after finally ending their frustrating run of close defeats by rival Tier One nations with a thrilling last-gasp victory over France.
Those late heroics have eased the pressure on Steve Borthwick and provided hope for a kick-start to his reign, though it must be followed up with another positive result here to avoid being labelled as merely a false dawn. Scotland have turned the tide and absolutely dominated this rivalry in recent years, winning four in a row dating back to 2021 and victorious on each of their last two trips to south-west London.
England have won just one of the last seven meetings in the Calcutta Cup by contrast, though will have their eye on revenge against Gregor Townsend’s men who were brushed aside by Ireland last time out after beating Italy on opening weekend. Follow England vs Scotland live below!
England vs Scotland latest news
Kick-off time: 4.45pm GMT, Allianz Stadium
How to watch: ITV
England team news: Chessum replaces Martin
Scotland team news: Russell fit but no Graham
England vs Scotland lineups in full
Prediction: England to gain Calcutta Cup revenge
England vs Scotland prediction
14:41 , George Flood
The stakes are as high as ever where these old rivals are concerned.
As euphoric as England’s shock last-gasp victory over France was, it will mean preciously little in the grand scheme of things if it’s immediately followed up by a fifth consecutive Calcutta Cup loss and third in a row against Scotland on home soil.
Back-to-back wins for England after such a difficult run would give Steve Borthwick real momentum ahead of on paper their two easiest fixtures of the tournament at home to Italy and away in Wales, giving him an odds-on chance to achieve a goal of four victories set by the RFU that appeared fanciful at best at the start of the Six Nations.
Scotland have well and truly had England’s number in recent years and will head to Twickenham in confident mood with a psychological edge despite that punishing loss to Ireland in which the final 32-18 scoreline flattered them greatly, but the availability of Finn Russell is huge.
We still give England a slight edge, but it’ll be close.
England to win, by seven points.
England vs Scotland lineups
14:38 , George Flood
England XV: M Smith; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart; Itoje (c), Chessum; T Curry, Earl, Willis
Replacements: George, Baxter, Heyes, Hill, Cunningham-South, B Curry, Randall, Daly
Scotland XV: Kinghorn; Rowe, Jones, Jordan, Van der Merwe; Russell (co-c), White; Schoeman, Cherry, Z Fagerson; Gray, Gilchrist; Ritchie, Darge (co-c), Dempsey
Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Hurd, Skinner, Brown, M Fagerson, Dobie, McDowall
Scotland team news: Finn Russell fit but no Darcy Graham
14:29
Scotland have star fly-half Finn Russell fit to start after that nasty clash of heads with team-mate Darcy Graham in the first half against Ireland that saw both players taken off.
Russell has progressed through the necessary return-to-play protocols and did actually pass his head injury assessment (HIA) after the incident, though he was kept off the field amid concern among the Scotland medics.
Graham was stretchered off and later diagnosed with concussion as he was taken to hospital as a precaution.
He has not made the squad today, with Kyle Rowe coming onto the wing instead.
Scotland’s other two changes are in the back, with Pierre Schoeman back at loosehead prop in place of Rory Sutherland and former captain Jamie Ritchie preferred to Matt Fagerson at blindside flanker.
England team news: Chessum replaces Martin
14:23 , George Flood
Steve Borthwick has made just one change to the England team that beat error-strewn favourites France 26-25 at home a fortnight ago thanks to that last-gasp Elliot Daly try.
It’s in the second row, where Ollie Chessum has replaced George Martin to partner captain Maro Itoje.
Chessum would likely have come back in anyway, though Martin has been dealing with a knee issue since the win over Les Bleus.
He was initially named on the bench for this game, but has since made way for two-cap Bath flanker Ted Hill.
As you were for England otherwise, with Borthwick continuing with the Smiths as dual playmakers after the success against France - Marcus at full-back and Fin at fly-half.
How to watch England vs Scotland
14:19
TV channel: In the UK, England vs Scotland is being broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 4pm.
Live stream: The game is also available to watch online via the ITVX app and website, which is free with a sign up.
England vs Scotland live
14:17 , George Flood
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of England vs Scotland in the 2025 Six Nations.
The latest Calcutta Cup showdown between these two old rivals is the headline fixture of round three as the competition returns following its first fallow week and fireworks are always guaranteed.
Kick-off this afternoon is at 4:45pm GMT, so stay tuned for build-up and live updates including expert analysis from Simon Collings at Allianz Stadium Twickenham.
