Six Nations: Scotland vs England Preview

It’s Valentine’s Day, but there will be no love lost when oldest rivals Scotland and England face off at Murrayfield on Saturday, February 14, kicking off at 4.40pm and live on ITV1 and STV. For many decades, a one-sided rivalry, recent encounters between these teams have brought out some Six Nations classics. A wounded Scotland, on the back of an 18-15 defeat away in Italy in their opening game, will be looking for a response when they host an England side who will be on a high after their 48-7 trouncing of Wales last weekend. It’s all set up to be a fiery contest on a chilly Saturday in Edinburgh, with another nail-biting encounter likely to be in the offing.

Tip 1: Scotland +7.5 @ Evs with bet365

Winning their last two home games against England, Scotland can look back on some fond recent memories of their clashes with the Auld Enemy at Murrayfield. Scotland’s defeat last weekend against Italy piled more pressure on head coach Gregor Townsend, but it’s hard to tell how good his side are, as little rugby was played on the flooded pitch at the Stadio Olimpico. It’s hard to tell how good England are either, as Wales offered little to no resistance in their thrashing at the hands of the Red Rose at Allianz Arena on the opening weekend.

Scotland know they will need to raise their game and put in a stellar defensive display to stop an England side who will be heading north of the border confident they can end their wait for a win at Murrayfield. However, Scotland have attacking stars too, with an all-British & Irish Lions trio of Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones operating at 10, 12 and 13. If that trio can start clicking, Scotland with a +7 handicap certainly appeals in this one.

Tip 2: Huw Jones to score a try @ 9/4 with bet365

Already mentioned as a real threat in the Scottish backline, Jones is great value to add to his try collection against England this weekend. The Glasgow Warriors star was unable to have any sort of impact on the game at the Stadio Olimpico, with the monsoon conditions almost neutralising the dangerous Scottish backline. Scoring in two of his last three games against England, Jones has proven to be a thorn in the Red Rose’s side in the past and the 32-year-old is well priced at 9/4 to add to his try tally against Steve Borthwick’s side on Saturday.

Tip 3: Henry Arundell to score a try @ 23/20 with bet365

Having scored a first-half hat-trick against Wales last Saturday, winger Henry Arundell will be hungry for even more tries this weekend. The Bath flyer has made a welcome return to the national set-up following a spell playing his club rugby in France. Scoring six tries in the Gallagher Prem already this season for Bath and taking that form into the England camp, Arundell darting over for a try on Saturday catches the eye in the anytime market at 23/20.