When a dejected England walked off the pitch in Dublin, it looked like a Six Nations title was a long way off.
A star-studded France had just put 43 unanswered points on Wales and were next up. Another loss and a title shot was all but over.
But one week was enough time to put those wrongs right as England delivered at the death to defeat Les Bleus and lift the pressure valve on head coach Steve Borthwick.
Meanwhile, following a bonus-point win over Italy in their opening game, Gregor Townsend’s Scotland started their championship off with a handy five points. One week and a comprehensive defeat by Ireland later, there is pressure to prove that game was just a blip.
England against Scotland for the Calcutta Cup is big enough in its own right, but this time round it is a must-win for both sides to keep their title chances alive.
Townsend is coaching in his eighth Six Nations and has never lost as a head coach in three games at Twickenham, with his team’s dominance over England now an annual tradition.
Victory would bring Scotland a fifth successive victory for the first time in the 153-year history of the fixture.
Aside from never beating Scotland, Borthwick – in his third Six Nations – needs to prove his side can consistently beat the best, having failed last year to back up their statement win over Ireland a week later against France.
The stakes on Saturday are more than just bragging rights.
(BBC Sports)
