Sam Underhill has admitted it is win or bust for England’s Six Nations title hopes at Murrayfield today
The Bath flanker headed north with his phone switched off to escape taunts from his grandmother, brother in law and sister’s boyfriend - all of whom are Scottish.
But he does not need anyone to point out to him the magnitude of this Calcutta Cup clash in the wake of England’s horror show in France a week ago.
Asked if defeat would spell the end of England’s title dream, Underhill admitted: “In terms of likelihood of winning it, I’d imagine so.
“The pressure is on, but it is something you can ignore and try to play down or something you can embrace. As players I think we’ve got to embrace it because that is what creates good performances.”
Not last week it didn’t, when France had home crowd advantage and a point to prove after the World Cup and blew England away in the first half.
Owen Farrell’s team faces equally determined opponents this evening, with a full house behind Scotland, who are fuelled by a blend of encouragement and frustration after going so close in Ireland.
Scottish captain Stuart Hogg emerged from an eve-of-battle meeting with world boxing champion Josh Taylor to speak of his side’s “desperation” to keep the Calcutta Cup for a third straight year.
“A lot of people have said there will be a good reaction from England and they will be ready to rock and roll,” said the Exeter fullback. “Well we will have a reaction too. We’re ready.”
No individual will be keener to atone for last week than Hogg, who dropped the ball over the Irish line to cough up what was potentially the match-winning try.
But the England squad have also spent the week chewing on glass, counting down the hours to this shot at redemption.
Players who only three months ago were being lauded for their near perfect semi-final win over New Zealand are not enjoying the criticism that has come their way.
“When you have a disappointing result there’s nothing more that you want than another game,” said Underhill. “The fact this one happens to be a Calcutta Cup is even better for us because there’s more pressure and pressure is what you need to perform at your best.”
He remembers back to his last time at Murrayfield, when by his own admission he was naive to the depth of Scottish ‘feeling’ towards the auld enemy.
Forewarned is forearmed and 12 months on from gifting Scotland a draw by blowing a 31-0 lead, England know exactly what they are getting themselves into.
“It is everything you might expect, very emotional and passionate,” said George Ford, who must control territory if England are to beat the Scots for the first time since 2017.
“It’s about having an awareness and understanding of that but not losing sight of what WE need to do.”
England warmed up with a fierce midweek training session, a “real big hit out” according to Jonny May, “which allowed us to let some steam off.
“But the more I play rugby the more I realise it’s a mental game. You can sense it, you can feel it, you can see it. When a team is on it and that mental edge is out-edging the other team they probably win.”
