Scotland will throw everything at the visitors but I love Steve Borthwick’s decision to start Luke Cowan-Dickie in the Six Nations at Murrayfield
T
he Six Nations is a cruel mistress. Two days before the tournament started for Scotland, Gregor Townsend said this was the strongest playing group of his tenure. Two days later, one bad half of rugby, some abysmal weather and he is facing calls for his head. If you take your eye off the ball in this competition for half an hour on the field your campaign can be over for another 12 months.
England will know that heading to Murrayfield. They only need to reflect on their last visit to Edinburgh. They began with a bang but Scotland seized momentum and England just couldn’t get it back, whatever they tried. Make no mistake, however, Steve Borthwick’s side know what is at stake on Saturday. Pull off a first victory in Edinburgh for six years and there will be conversations about going all the way. They will not be public conversations, but I’ve been in squads and camps before and when the opportunity for silverware is genuine, you cannot help but discuss it.
The key is to make sure it does not become a burden because, with the weight of history, there is enough pressure on the match as it is. It is easier to cope with, though, when on the kind of winning run that England arrive on. Without disrespecting Argentina, that run may not include a major victory on away soil but the scars of defeat do not run deep for this side, and that makes imposing your game in hostile environments that much easier.
