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

• TRY! Russell misses conversion to win after Van der Merwe score

• Huge Fin Smith penalty extends England advantage

• Marcus Smith penalties give England late lead

• TRY! Jones scores but Russell misses another conversion

• TRY! Freeman quickly hits back for England

• TRY! White goes over early for Scotland

England lift Calcutta Cup for first time since 2020

19:08 , George Flood

England are celebrating with the Calcutta Cup for the first time since 2020.

A proud moment early on in his captaincy for Maro Itoje.

England 16-15 Scotland

19:04

Here is that dramatic finish at Twickenham, with McDowall’s break, Van der Merwe’s score and of course the crucial missed conversion from Russell.

He struck it well in fairness, just didn’t quite have the accuracy.

Not an easy kick by any means.

England 16-15 Scotland

18:55

You’ve got to feel for Finn Russell, such a great player and so good for Scotland in that first half.

But three missed conversions in a one-point game is tough to take, especially when Scotland outscored England in terms of tries 3-1.

Jubilant scenes at the end at Twickenham for the second game in a row.

Not a vintage display from England by any means, they were largely abject in that first half.

But they mostly stifled Scotland after the break and crucially both Smiths held their nerve from the tee, which in the end has decided the game.

A lot of good fortune in these back-to-back wins and plenty still to work on, but Borthwick will be delighted nonetheless.

England 16-15 Scotland

18:45

Full-time

AND BREATHE!

An incredible finish to another Six Nations thriller at Twickenham.

Finn Russell’s missed conversion after that late Duhan van der Merwe try means England hold on to win by a single point and claim the Calcutta Cup for the first time since 2020.

It is their first home win over Scotland since 2017, snapping a run of four straight losses in this famous old fixture.

Scotland a whisker away from an unprecedented fifth successive triumph over the auld enemy and a third in a row away from home.

Just gutting for Russell, it’s now back-to-back losses for Scotland as England celebrate consecutive (highly dramatic) wins.

With Italy and Wales to come, suddenly that outlandish target of four wins set by the RFU ahead of this competition looks within reach.

They are still in this title race, but surely it’s the end of Scotland’s hopes.

England 16-15 Scotland

18:42

83 mins: Still we play on at Twickenham with Scotland desperate for one last chance after that Russell miss.

Bath flanker Ted Hill is on for only his third cap.

TRY! England 16-15 Scotland | Duhan van der Merwe 79'

18:38 , George Flood

79 mins: Would you believe it!

Van der Merwe might have broken English hearts again by finishing in the left corner after a sublime break from McDowall.

A huge conversion coming up for Russell, who missed the previous two...

HE’S MISSED IT AGAIN! England still lead by one point with just seconds left.

Wow, what stunning late drama at Twickenham again.

England 16-10 Scotland

18:36 , George Flood

77 mins: England take in their own lineout ball and try to set up a maul to bleed the clock, but they are pinged for having a player ahead of the ball.

Scotland boot for their own lineout inside the England half.

They have another chance to steal a last-gasp victory here to prevent losing the Calcutta Cup.

England 16-10 Scotland

18:35 , George Flood

76 mins: An off-the-ball check from Matt Fagerson on Ben Curry that stopped him from trying to make a tackle gives England a crucial penalty with just a few minutes to go.

It’s kicked to touch on the edge of the Scotland 22.

England 16-10 Scotland

18:33 , George Flood

76 mins: England’s defence was dreadful in the first half, but they have stood up to the task now as a risky offload out the back door from Scotland sails straight into touch when they had numbers on that left wing.

Rowe was also calling for it on his own wide on the right too.

Van der Merwe can’t hide his frustration with that.

England 16-10 Scotland

18:32 , George Flood

75 mins: Scotland still with ball in hand inside the England 22 with the clock running down, phase after phase but they are being pushed back.

England 16-10 Scotland

18:30 , George Flood

72 mins: Scotland try to hit back off this lineout, their attack grinds to a halt but they had an advantage for an infringement by Chessum.

Bhatti, Brown and Heyes all on as both teams look to the bench again.

Scotland kick to touch once more, but that’s not a great effort at all.

The lineout is stolen! But now Randall’s clearing kick has been charged down.

Chaos at Twickenham...

PENALTY! England 16-10 Scotland | Fin Smith 70'

18:27 , George Flood

70 mins: An absolute monster of a kick from Fin Smith, who has once again shown nerves of steel under sizable pressure so early on in his Test career.

Brilliant. England lead by six points with just 10 minutes to go.

England 13-10 Scotland

18:26 , George Flood

69 mins: Scotland are leaking so many penalties now, more fine work at the breakdown from Ben Curry.

Will they try and kick this from halfway? They will!

Daly has a hell of a boot on him, but it’s Fin Smith who’s going to try it as his Scottish parents look on from the crowd...

PENALTY! England 13-10 Scotland | Marcus Smith 66'

18:23

66 mins: No mistake again from the tee from Marcus Smith and England lead by three points with less than 15 minutes to play at Twickenham.

England 10-10 Scotland

18:21 , George Flood

65 mins: England safely claim the lineout - lovely one-handed take from Itoje - in scenes reminiscent of the France game as Daly pops up to try and get them over the line.

They are battering on the door but there’s some crucial Scottish tackles in there, including one from replacement hooker Ashman.

England were attacking with an advantage and we come back for the penalty.

A big decision coming up here... Itoje points to the posts.

England 10-10 Scotland

18:20 , George Flood

65 mins: Super kick from Fin Smith to give England the lineout 10 metres out from the Scotland line.

Jordan and White off for Scotland now, Jamie Dobie on at scrum-half and Stafford McDowall into midfield.

England 10-10 Scotland

18:18 , George Flood

64 mins: Head-to-head contact as Chessum charges with the ball into would-be tackler Rowe.

The officials take a look at it and England have a penalty for a high tackle which they clear to touch at halfway.

England 10-10 Scotland

18:16

63 mins: Nerves all around Twickenham inside the final quarter, England making another error at the breakdown that Ritchie can seize upon.

England 10-10 Scotland

18:14 , George Flood

61 mins: Borthwick is changing his scrum-half here with 20 minutes to play in a tied game.

Harry Randall on for Mitchell.

Scotland have sent on another former England U20 international in Sam Skinner.

England 10-10 Scotland

18:13

59 mins: A change in the England front row as Fin Baxter replaces Genge.

Slade collects a lovely little grubber as England come forward, but Earl is off his feet at the breakdown and Scotland end up with the penalty.

England 10-10 Scotland

18:11

58 mins: Scotland are quickly applying some serious pressure deep inside the England 22 after that Marcus Smith penalty to level the match.

Russell leads another fluid attack, but the momentum is lost and Itoje comes over the top to earn a crucial - and contentious - breakdown penalty to offer an escape.

How big a moment could that prove? Russell isn’t happy with it.

PENALTY! England 10-10 Scotland | Marcus Smith 55'

18:07 , George Flood

55 mins: Ewan Ashman is on at hooker as Scotland make their first changes of the day.

Matt Fagerson also into the back row for Dempsey.

Lovely interplay between Earl and Lawrence, England have an advantage as Freeman tries a little grubber down the right wing.

Scotland carry it into touch and we come back for the penalty, with England opting for the three points from the tee that are duly provided by the boot of Marcus Smith.

They needed that. All square at Twickenham now with 25 minutes to play.

England 7-10 Scotland

18:04 , George Flood

52 mins: Too careless once more from England in attack as they lose possession too easily again inside the Scottish 22.

England 7-10 Scotland

18:03

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Twickenham

Some boos from the home fans as Mitchell sends up another box kick...

England 7-10 Scotland

18:03 , George Flood

51 mins: England briefly lose possession after that Fin Smith hit and turnover, but now have it back and are looking for an attacking platform just inside the Scottish half.

But the ruck ball is slow again and Fin Smith aims a kick towards Freeman, who knocks it on.

There’s a big steal from George in there and England are now attacking inside the Scotland 22.

England 7-10 Scotland

18:02 , George Flood

50 mins: Stellar breakdown work from former Scotland captain Ritchie to position his body quickly over the ball and earn another penalty.

Wow - what a hit from Fin Smith to drive back Jones!

England have the turnover.

England 7-10 Scotland

18:00 , George Flood

48 mins: The Twickenham crowd are restless as a few boos greet that latest kick from Mitchell.

England’s scrum is at least going well with another penalty won deep inside the 22 to offer the escape route.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:57 , George Flood

46 mins: England under more pressure inside the 22 before a fabulous rip from Itoje on Zander Fagerson.

Another injury blow for the hosts with Tom Curry having been limping for a little while.

He was carrying a knock last week and is now replaced by Chandler Cunningham-South.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:55 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Twickenham

England's forwards shouting "Gengey go after him" before that scrum, and then they give away a sloppy free-kick for engaging early.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:54

45 mins: Scrappy stuff as another knock-on leads to another Scottish scrum.

A couple of very early second-half changes from Borthwick here as Cowan-Dickie and Sleightholme make way for Jamie George and Elliot Daly - two players so instrumental to that last-gasp win over France.

Can they make a similar impact two weeks on?

England 7-10 Scotland

17:52

43 mins: More ambition at the start of the second half from England as they look to burst over the gain line and drive forward through the middle.

Earl slams through the attempted tackle of Russell but Lawrence is unable to hold onto a pass from centre partner Slade and it’s lost forward.

Scotland scrum. They end up with a free-kick.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:49 , George Flood

Back underway at Twickenham!

England need a big response here, but no need to panic just yet only three points down despite that poor first-half display.

The bench were huge against France and could be again this evening.

Tom Willis has failed his HIA, so Ben Curry stays on.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:47 , George Flood

Another special try from Scotland, whose backline looks absolutely terrific despite the absence of influential captain Sione Tuipulotu.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:46 , George Flood

As good as it got for England in that rather punishing first half.

Freeman will be relieved that they didn’t take a closer look at the grounding...

England 7-10 Scotland

17:45 , George Flood

England just cannot contain Duhan van der Merwe...

England 7-10 Scotland

17:43

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Twickenham

Scotland will be disappointed that, for all their dominance, they only lead by three points.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:41 , George Flood

Freeman’s quick reply and that scintillating break from Lawrence and Marcus Smith aside, a really poor first half from England on the back of the euphoria that greeted their dramatic last-gasp win over France a fortnight ago.

They have looked really vulnerable in defence again, kicked possession away far too much and missed so many tackles while leaking penalties.

Scotland have been dominant and so dangerous in attack, they have left so many points on the field.

They will be in disbelief that it’s only a three-point lead at the interval.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:35 , George Flood

Half-time

England 7-10 Scotland

17:34 , George Flood

41 mins: A brilliant attack out of nowhere off the lineout suddenly sparks England with the clock in the red, Lawrence breaking through and Marcus Smith motoring forward.

Lawrence has it back and tries to move it on with an inventive offload out the back door to tee up Sleightholme in the right corner, but it’s into touch.

It would have been a bit of a travesty had England took the lead there on the stroke of half-time.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:32 , George Flood

40 mins: Zander Fagerson is whistled at scrum time as Tom Curry tries to control the ball with his foot at the base.

Can England create one chance before the break?

Fin Smith to touch.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:31 , George Flood

38 mins: Solid maul defence from England with half-time looming to stifle Scotland on that occasion.

They end up with the put-in at another scrum in their own 22.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:29 , George Flood

37 mins: Wonderful rugby again from ambitious Scotland in such tight areas down the flanks, Van der Merwe again magically breaking through an army of tacklers and popping an inside pass.

Kinghorn, Jordan and Jones also so menacing with ball in hand.

Jones and Rowe combine to find hooker Cherry out right, but it’s super breakdown work from Ben Curry to secure a much-needed turnover for England.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:27 , George Flood

36 mins: An injury blow before the break for England as Willis suffers a shoulder issue.

I think he’s also going for a HIA as Ben Curry comes on.

Twin brother Tom will be moving to No8 for now.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:26 , George Flood

35 mins: Ritchie is still in the air at the lineout as Itoje makes contact and Russell is then able to boot another Scottish penalty into touch in the England 22.

England’s energy reserves will really be tested here with Borthwick’s side continually on the defensive.

Scotland look dangerous every time they pour forward with ball in hand, but will want more than a three-point lead to show for their efforts at the break.

That’s a great tackle from Lawrence on Kinghorn though and the ball is lost forward, giving England the put-in at another scrum.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:23 , George Flood

33 mins: As Simon said, Scotland are working the ball wide at every single opportunity here.

But that’s a trademark crunching tackle from Curry to slam Van der Merwe into touch.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:22 , George Flood

32 mins: Some respite for England with the put-in at the scrum as Willis comes from the base and tries to drive forward.

The potential attacking platform is rather wasted though as boot is put to ball once again inside their own half.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:20

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Twickenham

England's defence looks so creaky whenever Scotland throw the ball out wide, which Finn Russell is trying to do as much as possible.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:20 , George Flood

30 mins: Scotland are dominating this game and showing real fluidity and ingenuity in attack.

They work it left but Russell’s pass intended for Rowe is spilled forward as Freeman vitally forces the error to halt their latest surge.

England have to step it up defensively here.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:17 , George Flood

28 mins: More relentless pressure from confident Scotland on the kick chase and Marcus Smith ends up slicing into touch on the near side.

Scotland quickly then up to within a few metres of the England try line once more...

England 7-10 Scotland

17:16 , George Flood

26 mins: Scotland narrowly miss pulling off an excellent 50:22 kick as they look to pile more pressure on this shaky England defence.

The hosts manage to claim their own lineout ball and clear.

England really flattering to deceive at the moment.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:13 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Twickenham

England have already missed 12 tackles.

England 7-10 Scotland

17:12

22 mins: England’s discipline is creaking here with a penalty given away on the deck by an overeager Earl.

The missed tackles are also piling up. Defensively suspect.

Remember how many try-scoring chances France botched in the first half here a fortnight ago...

TRY! England 7-10 Scotland | Huw Jones 19'

17:08 , George Flood

19 mins: Another stylish try from Scotland to retake the lead!

It’s wonderful hands as they recycle the ball with pace and purpose out left, where Van der Merwe pops over another fine inside pass despite being hit by Lawrence.

Jones turns on the jets and brushes off Sleightholme to touch down in the corner.

Another missed conversion by Russell though. 10-7 the Scottish lead.

England 7-5 Scotland

17:06

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Twickenham

A bit of a kickfest so far. England's attack was so fluid against France, but they have not had the field position to build off yet.

England 7-5 Scotland

17:06 , George Flood

16 mins: A kicking battle has broken out at Twickenham, with neither side really yet to gain a big advantage in that area.

White and Mitchell both with plenty of box-kicking from the back of rucks.

Stuart has been playing without a boot, while Tom Curry is down for England and receiving some treatment.

He has been dealing with a knee issue since the France game.

England 7-5 Scotland

17:02 , George Flood

14 mins: England give away a penalty at the maul as Scotland maintain this latest bout of early pressure.

But they are pinged themselves at the scrum to allow England to clear into touch near halfway.

England 7-5 Scotland

17:00 , George Flood

12 mins: Momentum continues to swing back and forth in a thrilling start to this contest.

Suddenly England are soaking up a load more pressure deep in the 22, before Kinghorn can’t bring in an errant pass slung his way out right.

England 7-5 Scotland

16:59

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Twickenham

Brilliant response from England. Tommy Freeman has looked a different player from the autumn with Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell, his Saints team-mates, now the half-backs.

TRY! England 7-5 Scotland | Tommy Freeman 9'

16:54

9 mins: What a response from England!

After winning a penalty, they instantly pile on the pressure and are quickly camped on the Scottish line.

The visitors’ defence holds up briefly, before Freeman steps and crashes through two defenders to touch down.

Did he get that grounded? No matter, Marcus Smith has already banged over the conversion before any more replays.

England lead by two after an early exchange of tries at Twickenham.

It’s never dull in the Calcutta Cup...

TRY! England 0-5 Scotland | Ben White 5'

16:50 , George Flood

5 mins: England are carved open as Scotland strike early!

A sensational attack, Kinghorn starting it and Van der Merwe - a constant thorn in England’s side with five Calcutta Cup tries to his name including last year’s hat-trick at Murrayfield - thundering into space down the left wing before a lovely inside pass sets away scrum-half White, who also loves a try against the country he represented at Under-20 level.

Russell pushes his conversion wide right.

England 0-0 Scotland

16:49 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings at Twickenham

A few missed tackles from England early on, which is greeted by some groans from the Twickenham crowd.

England need to tighten up defensively.

England 0-0 Scotland

16:48

2 mins: England launch their first useful attack down the left as they look to utilise the searing pace of Sleightholme.

An infringement at the lineout deep in Scottish territory gives the visitors an easy exit as Russell puts boot to ball.

England vs Scotland

16:46 , George Flood

Fin Smith kicks to get us underway!

A reminder that despite his crucial late steel from the tee against France, Marcus Smith retains goal-kicking duties for England this afternoon.

England vs Scotland

16:44 , George Flood

Two passionate renditions as ever.

Kick-off is imminent at Twickenham, where Pierre Brousset is the referee.

A Six Nations debut for the Frenchman, who is being supported by assistants Andrew Brace and Luc Ramos and TMO Tual Trainini.

England vs Scotland

16:40 , George Flood

Blaring music and a light show greets the teams as they run out from the tunnel onto the pitch.

National anthems coming up, with Flower of Scotland to be followed by God Save the King.

Plenty of Scots in the crowd at Twickenham this afternoon.

England vs Scotland

16:39 , George Flood

Plenty of pre-match pomp and pyrotechnics as usual ahead of the teams emerging at Twickenham.

A real big-game feel about this one.

Finn Russell fitness a 'big boost' for Scotland

16:31 , George Flood

Scotland have never lost a game against England when they’ve had Finn Russell starting at fly-half and Gregor Townsend up in the coaches box.

The visitors are under no illusions as to just how important it is that their star No10 is fit to start this afternoon.

"Finn plays a lot of his best rugby in a Scotland shirt,” said fellow Scotland co-captain Rory Darge.

"He's played lots and lots of games for us now, so it will be big having him back.

"It's massive isn't it? He's obviously world-class, great to play with and really important to us as a team, so delighted that he's fit.

"It's a big boost. He has so much experience playing for Scotland and his talent speaks for itself."

16:26

Right, no time to dwell on that cracker in Cardiff as we shift our full focus over to south-west London.

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings is at an unusually sunny Twickenham to preview a massive Calcutta Cup showdown that feels like a significant game for both teams.

Ireland win Triple Crown after major Wales scare

16:21

What a Test match in Cardiff.

Despite a valiant, resurgent display under temporary boss Matt Sherratt, Wales have slipped to a 15th consecutive Test loss.

After an almighty scare, Ireland prevail 27-18 to clinch the Triple Crown and keep their Championship and Grand Slam ambitions firmly on track ahead of a huge clash with France in Dublin in round four.

No bonus point thought, which they would surely have been expecting as they chase an unprecedented third successive title.

Some pride back for Wales at long last, despite the final score.

Ellis Mee try ruled out with Ireland set to beat Wales

16:10 , George Flood

You can’t take your eyes off the action in Cardiff, where there are just minutes remaining now.

Ireland lead 24-18 after a brilliant finish from young Wales debutant Ellis Mee was crucially ruled out for being grounded just short of the line after a long TMO review.

A couple more Sam Prendergast penalties had put Ireland in front by six.

And he’s just added another for 27-18. Ireland are going to win once again despite a considerable scare at the Principality.

Itoje: England out to 'change the narrative' in Calcutta Cup

16:06

Maro Itoje insists he is determined to change the narrative against Scotland today having got the first win of his captaincy in such dramatic and unexpected fashion against France last time out.

"Scotland have had a number on us for a few years and that's something we're not proud about," said Itoje.

"That's something we are massively motivated to try to overturn.

"You don't want blind rage and you don't want blind, beating-your-chest fury, but you need some of that.

"Rugby is not a game of brute force alone, you need accuracy and you need to have the composure to identify space and execute.

"Rugby is an emotional game. In my humble opinion, it is a game that requires more emotion than most other sports because of the nature of what we do.

"We want our team to be full of emotion. But we want that accuracy. We don't want blind emotion that clouds your judgement.

"This is an absolutely huge game. It is a brilliant opportunity to change the narrative there and get England back to winning the Calcutta Cup."

Ireland hit back to level Wales thriller

15:48 , George Flood

Truly thrilling stuff in Cardiff, where Ireland crucially sustained no more damage with 14 men before Bundee Aki came on for the earlier departed Garry Ringrose.

They soaked up a lot more pressure before a much-needed Sam Prendergast penalty brought them back within five points.

Jamie Osborne’s try has since levelled the game after some beautiful kicking from Prendergast, who couldn’t nail the conversion to edge the Irish back in front.

18-18 with just under 20 minutes to play at the Principality.

England must seize the moment after France upset

15:43 , George Flood

Victory over France felt like a turning point for England, but Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with Scotland will tell us whether or not it was a false dawn, writes Simon Collings.

After a poor run of form, England clicked into gear against Les Bleus and bucked their trend of losing tight games by claiming a thrilling last-gasp 26-25 win.

The jubilant scenes at Twickenham after the full-time whistle, both in the stands and on the pitch, underlined how much of a vital result it was for Steve Borthwick’s side - but now they must build on it.

Beating a France team led by the supremely talented Antoine Dupont is impressive, however England need to use it as a springboard, both in this Six Nations and for Borthwick’s reign as a whole.

Read the full match preview here

15:37 , George Flood

Huge crowds gather to greet the England players outside Twickenham.

Should be some atmosphere in store today. Ca anything match the scenes after that last-gasp Elliot Daly winning try against France?

Wales extend shock lead over Ireland

15:27 , George Flood

It’s going from bad to worse for 14-man Ireland in Cardiff.

Scarlets wing Tom Rogers with a quite ridiculous flying finish in the corner after an overload out right.

The subsequent conversion is missed by Gareth Anscombe, so the Welsh lead is up to 18-10.

Can Ireland hit back?

England vow to bring 'nastiness' in bid for Calcutta Cup revenge

15:24

The rhetoric from the England camp this week has very much been about passion and physicality, vowing to bring a “nastiness” to their game in a bid to finally end their rotten recent run in the Calcutta Cup.

“Most games come down to physicality, especially around the contact area, around the set-piece, around the collision,” scrum coach Tom Harrison said on Friday.

"I expect Scotland to be fired up in that area and I think you'll see a different Scotland when they play against England.

"We've spoken about it [the recent record] as a group.

"Everyone says teams who play against England 'they find a bit extra, they find a bit extra' but actually there's a nastiness to us.

"We want to win the Calcutta Cup back here. We haven't done so and we want to do that."

Garry Ringrose yellow card upgraded to red in Cardiff

15:14

Confirmation at half-time in Cardiff that Garry Ringrose’s yellow card for that high hit on Ben Thomas has indeed been upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

No surprise there really, dangerous and looked like zero mitigation.

Ireland will have to battle through the third quarter of that match with 14 men.

Resurgent Wales lead Ireland at half-time in shock

15:09

Now then! Do we have an almighty shock brewing in Cardiff?!

The half-time whistle has just sounded at the Principality Stadium, where rock-bottom Wales - in their first game under the temporary guidance of Cardiff Blues head coach Matt Sherratt after Warren Gatland’s exit - LEAD Grand Slam and historic three-peat chasing defending champions Ireland 13-10.

Captain Jac Morgan’s converted try just before the break added to a Gareth Anscombe penalty after Ireland had initially weathered an early storm and led 10-0 thanks to Jack Conan’s score and the boot of Sam Prendergast.

And it could yet get worse for Ireland, with Garry Ringrose’s yellow card for a high hit and head-on-head contact with Ben Thomas currently in the bunker for review.

It could well be upgraded to red. A fascinating second 40 minutes ahead.

Is that record 14-Test losing streak about to come to an end at long last in the most unlikely and unexpected fashion?

England out to end Scotland's Calcutta Cup dominance

15:02 , George Flood

Scotland’s run of form in the Calcutta Cup over recent years has been quite remarkable.

Though England are miles ahead on the all-time head-to-head record, with 76 wins to 47, and won nine of 10 matches between 2009-17, they have won only one of the last seven meetings between the old rivals.

That lone victory came with a low-scoring 13-6 triumph played out in torrid weather conditions at Murrayfield back in 2020.

You have to go all the way back to 2017 for England’s last win over Scotland on home soil at Twickenham, when they ran in 61 points in a total demolition of injury-plagued opponents under Eddie Jones.

There was also that unforgettable 38-38 draw in 2019 in which England blew a 31-point lead before scoring in injury time to salvage a last-gasp tie.

Scotland are looking for an unprecedented fifth successive Calcutta Cup win this afternoon and third in a row south of the border.

14:48 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Simon Collings has arrived at Twickenham, where the sun is shining on a bright and crisp February afternoon.

Perfect conditions for some attacking rugby...

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.