Rugby past and future collide in Calcutta Cup

Posted 03 22 2009 2:15AM

LONDON (AFP) – England and Scotland are set to arrive at Twickenham for the latest edition of rugby union's oldest international fixture with their ancient rivalry in rude health.

England captain Steve Borthwick, not normally someone to indulge in 'mind games', has made no secret this week of how Scotland's reaction to their victory in last year's Calcutta Cup still rankles.

"There are certain things I will not forget after that game," Borthwick said. "They made no disguise in rubbing in the fact they had beaten England."

But that will be as nothing if Scotland triumph this weekend to record their first victory at Twickenham since 1983.

They face an England side who started to live up to their potential by running in five tries against France during last weekend's 34-10 victory at Twickenham.

Another win could see England, who this season have lost away to both Wales and Ireland, finish second in the tournament.

England manager Martin Johnson has named an unchanged matchday 22 despite injury concerns regarding fly-half Toby Flood (shoulder) and openside flanker Joe Worsley - something the Red Rose last managed in the semi-finals of the 2007 World Cup.

Although Scotland last triumphed at Twickenham when Margaret Thatcher was still Britain's Prime Minister, Johnson insisted there was more to his warning against complacency than good manners.

"We know if we let our standards slip, we can lose to anyone," Johnson, England's 2003 World Cup winning captain, said.

Unusually in recent times, England go into this game with the task of trying to back-up an attractive and commanding performance.

"The challenge for us is to repeat our intensity," Johnson said.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has made just one change to the team that lost to Grand Slam chasers Ireland with flanker Scott Gray brought into the pack.

Meanwhile, captain Mike Blair has been passed fit following a back problem.

The scrum-half won't admit it, for fear of being seen to put his own fate before that of the team, but Saturday's match represents his last chance to star in a Test before the squad for this year's British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa is selected.

Ireland and Wales may be the favourites to supply most of the latest pride but there is something about starring in a side not going so well which can help a player's chances of being picked.

This has been a so far largely lacklustre tournament for the Scots, who have just a win over a desperately mediocre Italy to their credit appoaching the final weekend of the Championship.

Another defeat at Twickenham on would mean the under-pressure Hadden will have failed to meet the Scottish Rugby Union's objective of two Six Nations victories per season for a second consecutive year.

Scoring tries has been a problem for a Scotland side who, in Chris Paterson, have one of the world's best goalkickers.

But they do boast a powerful set of forwards who could make life difficult for an England pack that has struggled at the scrum.

In open play, Scotland's Jason White has a well-deserved reputation as a fearsome tackler, something his Sale team-mate and England wing Mark Cueto knows plenty about.

"Some of the hits he has made are horrible," said Cueto. "I am hoping I can stay well away from him at Twickenham."

England, who'd been punished to the tune of 10 yellow cards in four Tests before last weekend's match, saw their disciplinary problems evaporate against a France side they bested at the breakdown.

Both teams on Saturday can call on some speedy backs with England fielding the likes of Delon Armitage, Ugo Monye and Cueto, while Scotland have the Evans brothers behind the scrum.

"I have every confidence this side is moving forward," said Hadden.

A first win at Twickenham in 26 years would certainly help convince his employers.