Six Nations 2024: Ben Earl confident England are prepared for tough Scotland battle

England are confident they can cope with Scotland’s wind-up antics in Saturday’s grudge Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield.

Steve Borthwick’s side are aiming to avoid a record-equalling fourth straight loss to Scotland — and No8 Ben Earl believes they are ready for a hostile Edinburgh atmosphere.

England have beaten Scotland only once in their past six meetings, with a reversal of traditional fortunes now dating back to a heated 2018 tussle at Murrayfield.

Scotland won 25-13 to kick-start their recent supremacy, in a contest dominated by clashes in the tunnel between Ryan Wilson and England duo George Ford and Owen Farrell.

England were rattled by those confrontations, slipping to a frustrating defeat, but Saracens star Earl believes boss Borthwick’s new regime is already instilling the kind of mental fortitude to handle such tactics.

“There’s a resilience there in us, for sure,” said Earl. “It’s quite a good group of experienced players in this team, in terms of Jamie George, George Ford, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, Ellis Genge. Those guys, they’re all different characters, but they’ve all seen all those curve balls.

“And then you’ve also got a group of lads who might not have played a load of Test rugby but have played a lot of club rugby, played in some great games, some great stadiums.

“We don’t get the opportunity to say much to the crowd, so the way we can speak to the crowd is through our performance.

“So, I’d say the group, in terms of expectation, is probably as prepared as any to deal with anything that’s thrown at us.”

England teams in recent times have looked to downplay the auld enemy rivalry with Scotland, but Borthwick’s class of 2024 are relaxed enough to embrace the Six Nations in all its niggle and enmity.

Asked how England will handle the traditional hostility in Scotland this weekend, the ever-bullish Earl replied: “I think you have to love it. These are the games that you remember if you come out on the right side of the result.

“If you don’t love it, then you’re probably playing the wrong sport at the wrong level. So, yeah, I absolutely love it. I love going away to these amazing places and amazing cities, amazing grounds. So, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Danny Care will be primed for his 99th cap on Saturday, with England aiming to build on wins over Italy and Wales.

The Harlequins veteran is in line to start at scrum-half after Alex Mitchell’s knee injury, which should see the Northampton star miss the rest of the championship. Bath’s Ben Spencer, 31, will take a seat on the bench for just his fifth cap.

Bristol’s Harry Randall has been released from the senior squad and will feature for England A in Sunday’s clash against Portugal at Leicester.

Fit-again Hamish Watson and Magnus Bradbury have returned to the Scotland squad, with Toulouse full-back Blair Kinghorn also back in the ranks for Gregor Townsend’s men.

England head coach Borthwick has tried to remove the fear of failure he believes crippled previous England set-ups, leaving Earl impressed.

“As an England player, your responsibility is to show fight, passion and a commitment to your team and the plan that we’ve chosen,” said Earl.

“If the plan doesn’t necessarily win the game, so be it. But if you can look at yourself and your team-mate in the review and say we did what we wanted, so be it, no questions asked.

“That’s what’s been brilliant about Steve. Do that and you’ll be alright.”