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England v Scotland, Six Nations 2019: What time does the match start on Saturday and what TV channel is it on?

Nathan Hughes and Ryan Wilson tangle at Murrayfield last season - Getty Images Contributor
Nathan Hughes and Ryan Wilson tangle at Murrayfield last season - Getty Images Contributor

What is it?

The final game of the 2019 Six Nations sees the Calcutta Cup go on the line at Twickenham. Whether or not Wales have already secured the Grand Slam, there is a trophy and all-important cross-border bragging rights to play for.

When is it?

Saturday, March 16.

What time is kick-off?

The third and final Six Nations tussle of the day starts at 5pm.

What TV channel is it on?

ITV are showing this one, starting their coverage at 4.15pm.

What is the latest squad news?

England

England have delivered a seismic shock by dropping Joe Cokanasiga.

Cokanasiga was named man of the match after Italy were swept aside in the penultimate round of the Championship and was compared to Jonah Lomu by Sir Clive Woodward, but the Fijian-born wing is not even on the bench for the Calcutta Cup showdown.

Taking his place in the No 14 jersey is Jack Nowell, who has recovered from a shoulder stinger injury, with Ben Te'o picked as replacement threequarter cover.

Eddie Jones has reverted to his first choice midfield for the 2019 Six Nations with Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade paired in the centres outside Owen Farrell.

In total there are four changes in personnel to the XV that battered Italy 57-14 at Twickenham with Ben Moon restored at loosehead prop and Mark Wilson displacing Brad Shields at blindside flanker.

Ben Youngs will be making his 85th England appearance to surpass the national record for a scrum-half held by Danny Care.

Replacements

Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Cole, Shields, Hughes, Spencer, Ford, Te'o

 

Scotland

Gregor Townsend has handed recalls to full-back Sean Maitland and back-row pair Hamish Watson and Sam Skinner for Scotland's trip to Twickenham.

The Dark Blues coach has announced six changes to the team that lost to Wales last weekend, with wing Byron McGuigan, centre Sam Johnson and lock Ben Toolis also brought in to face Championship-chasing England.

Dropping out are the injured trio of Tommy Seymour, Blair Kinghorn and Jamie Ritchie plus Peter Horne, while Josh Strauss and Jonny Gray move to the bench.

Replacements

Brown, Reid, Berghan, J Gray, Strauss, Laidlaw, Hastings, Harris

What happened in this fixture in 2018?

Funny you ask. We have taken an analytical look at how England have gradually rebooted following a humbling at Murrayfield a year ago. Scotland won 25-13 that day, and totally dismantled their opponents at the breakdown and around the field.

Since that loss, which kick-started a tail-spin of four more consecutive Test defeats, England have tweaked their tactics. 

What are they saying?

George Ford, at the centre of a pre-match fracas last season, is ready for Scotland this time.

“When I was younger I’d probably react in the wrong way, maybe lose my head in terms of concentration for five or 10 minutes. That helps nobody so you accept that it’s happening and get on with your next job. You have to be on top of it mentally, come back to being in control, come back to imposing your game plan on the opposition.

“We would try to get to them once the game has kicked off, of course we would, by being smart tactically or physically within the laws. It is when the whistle goes that the action counts. 10s are going to be targeted.”

Followed defeat to Wales on Saturday, Gregor Townsend promised that Scotland would front up at Twickenham.

“What we showed today against the No 3 team in the world, if we build on that performance we can be a match for any team in the world. We know how good England are at home, what a strong team they are, but records are there to be broken. And that will be the case if we play like we did today and improve those areas close to the try line.”

What are the betting odds?

  • England: 1/16

  • Scotland: 9/1

  • Draw: 33/1

What is our prediction?

Predicted score: England 42 Scotland 15

The handicap with most bookies is 19 points. Although the return of dogged back-rower Hamish Watson is important for Scotland, that could look lean if England get off to a quick start.