Follow the latest updates live from today’s Six Nations action as the Calcutta Cup takes centre stage at Murrayfield with Scotland taking on England.
Both sides suffered defeats on the opening weekend, with Scotland delivering an impressive performance despite coming out on the wrong side of their 19-12 result in Dublin, while England delivered one of the worst performances of the Eddie Jones era in a 24-17 loss to France.
As a result, the Calcutta Cup carries significantly more pressure this afternoon as neither side can afford a second consecutive loss, given it will almost certainly end their Six Nations title hopes for the year after just two rounds. Add to that the fiery build-up from both teams, with the talk of “war” and “hatred”, and the match is finely poised to be a boisterous and physical affair. Follow the live action below.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the unofficial Six Nations 'Super Saturday' as Ireland take on Wales in Dublin before the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield where Scotland host arch rivals England.
A bumper day of rugby action is in store as we kick off at the Aviva Stadium where two of the three remaining unbeaten sides face off in an all-Celtic clash that could go a long way to deciding this season's Six Nations winners.
Both sides have made just one change, with Ireland replacing the injured Caelan Doris with Peter O'Mahony as CJ Stander moves to No 8, while Wales draft in international rookie Nick Tompkins following his impressive debut last weekend, allowing George North to move back to the wing as Johnny McNicholl drops to the bench.
Following proceedings in Dublin, the day's main event kicks off here at Murrayfield as Scotland and England meet in rugby union's oldest rugby. The 138th Test between these two fierce nations sees Scotland attempting to claim the Calcutta Cup for the third consecutive time, something they have not achieved since 1972.
But both sides are coming off a defeat, with England particularly wounded by their chastening defeat against France last weekend that has Eddie Jones under growing pressure.
Kick-off in Dublin is at 2:15pm, while the Calcutta Cup gets underway at 4:45pm, and to whet your appetite ahead of the action here's our preview of today's premature 'Super Saturday'.
Fair to say it's not a warm reception for the English at Murrayfield, as ever. They are going to have to silence a partisan crowd if they are to get the better of Scotland this afternoon.
Warning: video features some offensive gestures...
Jonny May has been talking ahead of this one and has insisted the game comes at the perfect time for England, with the chance to make amends for their dismal performance in Paris:
A six-day turnaround is what you want because you just want to get out there and put it right. You get a lot of emotional energy and those sorts of feelings from a game, they hang around. We know what's coming - it's England v Scotland, it's a big game. We knew what was coming against France, it's just making sure we're ready for it, meet the challenge and overcome the challenge. It's a new era for France - young players, Stade de France, first game of the championship. France out-enthused us. Why can't we still win the competition? Every time I play for England, we prepare to win. It is not 'expect to win', but you believe you can win. What is the point otherwise? Why would you have any other mindset other than prepare to win and believe you can win?
Ireland beat Wales and earn a bonus point for their efforts.
So as things stand, it's Ireland and France who will go on and challenge for the Grand Slam - providing the French manage to overcome Italy tomorrow afternoon - after the former defeat Wales 24-14 in a convincing fashion. Make no mistake, the Andy Farrell era is up and running.
But it's all about the Calcutta Cup now, as Scotland and Wales prepare to do battle at Murrayfield this evening.
We're 25 minutes from kick-off and thankfully the nasty weather from Storm Ciara is yet to reach us here in Edinburgh - though I fear it's not too far away.
England head for the changing room 20 minutes before kick-off, with Scotland waiting for them to clear the way before making their own way in to avoid any repeat of the tunnel scrap that we saw two years ago.
That said, there was an unsavoury incident as the teams arrived, with a bottle thrown at the England players as they made their way off the bus, resulting in the high performance director Neil Craig - otherwise known as Eddie Jones's right-hand man - being struck on the head. Thankfully it was a plastic one that appeared to be empty and Craig looked unharmed, but you don't want to see that no matter what the rivalry.
The lower tier is being flooded with rain-proof ponchos as the weather closes in, and it's going to be a wet start to this match as the heavens open.
Last weekend that really affected England's tactical approach, and may just play into Scotland's hands.
center no-repeat #999999;cursor:pointer;background-size: 9px 10px;top:-8px; border-radius: 2px;">↵
What makes this rivalry so special?
It's the oldest match in Test history, with this the 138th meeting between the two nations, and it always comes these days with promises of battle, war and passion.
That's triggered a lot of debate this week about the language currently being used within rugby, but make no mistake, this is going to be physical.
Here's why the Calcutta Cup means so much.
Led out by Owen Farrell and Stuart Hogg, here come the teams! Time for the anthems...
Maybe not... a pitch invader has run out onto the field with the Scotland team in an attempt to join them for the anthems, triggering a delay while security attempt to remove him from the field.
Eventually, Princess Anne is given the green light to take to the field to greet the players, but it's all prolonging the wait until kick-off.
There is however a lovely cheer and applause for Doddie Weir as he appears on the big screens here, with the former Scotland international continuing his fight against Motor Neurone Disease.
God Save The Queen is perfectly honoured by the home fans, who then belt out Flower Of Scotland that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Spine-tingling stuff.
Here we go...
KICK-OFF: Scotland 0-0 England
Scotland kick-off and the Calcutta Cup is underway!
1 mins: Scotland 0-0 England
Scotland immediately get on the front foot, as May tries to take the kick-off in the middle of the field and gets nailed straight away by Johnson. The tackle dislodges the ball, and Ford is there to sweep up and kick clear. He misses touch though and Hastings can return for the home side.
2 mins: Scotland 0-0 England
Scotland came make much progress once they're into the 22, and Itoje comes round the edge of the breakdown as Price takes the ball and manages to rip it out of his hands, before England then win a pressure-relieving penalty from referee Pascal Gauzere for not rolling away.
England then get a free-kick for numbers at the lineout, and Ford goes high, but the ball stalls in the wind from his high bomb and Heinz reacts fastest to claim possession for England.
4 mins: Scotland 0-0 England
England are already kicking much better than they dod last weekend, as Ford fires a lovely effort that finds touch on the Scottish five-metre line. Pressure on the home side here.
6 mins: Scotland 0-0 England
Scotland manage to exit their deadball line as Hastings kicks clear, though misses touch and England return through Curry - who throws a poorly-timed pass to May and sets him up to get hit hard. England recycle though and Farrell sends another low kick in deep, which Hastings has to field, and when they try the same again this time Hogg is there to collect the ball and call the mark.
8 mins: Scotland 0-0 England
England send up another high bomb and both Daly and Ludlam chase hard that puts the frighteners on Hogg, who knocks it forwards into the arms of Heinz. He triggers a counter attack that goes through May and Curry and when Itoje is tackled by Jonny Gray, the penalty goes against Cummings to hand Farrell a first shot at goal.
9 mins: Scotland 0-0 England
Farrell's effort from about 40m out on the angle is pushed wide right and also gets held up in the wind that it doesn't even make the line, and that's three points gone begging for England.
10 mins: Scotland 0-0 England
Farrell is handed an immediate chance to make up for the miss as Scotland are caught offside through Cummings again. This time the mark is a bit more central and only 30m out, and normally you'd expect the skipper to lap these opportunities up. In this wind though, you never know...
11 mins: Scotland 0-3 England
The England captain makes no mistake this time and they take the lead.
Match preview
When is the match?
Scotland vs England takes place on Saturday 8 February at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
What time does it kick-off?
The match kicks off at 4:45pm GMT.
Teams
Scotland: Stuart Hogg; Sean Maitland, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Blair Kinghorn; Adam Hastings, Ali Price; Rory Sutherland, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson; Stuart Cummings, Jonny Gray; Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Magnus Bradbury.
Replacements: Stuart McInally, Allan Dell, Simon Berghan, Ben Toolis, Nick Haining, George Horne, Rory Hutchinson, Chris Harris.
England: George Furbank; Jonny May, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly; George Ford, Willi Heinz; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Lewis Ludlam, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry,
Replacements: Tom Dunn, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Ben Earl, Ben Youngs, Ollie Devoto.
