Scotland vs England LIVE! Six Nations 2024 result, match stream and latest updates today
Six Nations round three is headlined by a blockbuster Calcutta Cup showdown in Edinburgh today. England head north of the border looking to end a torrid recent run against their auld enemy, who they have beaten just once since 2017 and against whom they have suffered three consecutive defeats.
It was between 1970 and 1972 that England last lost four matches in a row against their oldest rivals, something Steve Borthwick will be desperate to avoid this afternoon. His World Cup semi-finalists have yet to find their attacking groove in this year’s competition, but do go into this grudge clash boasting a 100 per cent record after attritional victories over both Italy and Wales.
Gregor Townsend will certainly feel that his team should also remain in contention for a first Grand Slam since 1990 after they narrowly held off an epic Welsh fightback on opening weekend, only to then be denied a famous home win over France as a last-gasp try was not given in controversial fashion. Follow Scotland vs England in the Six Nations live below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s rugby correspondent Nick Purewal at Murrayfield.
Scotland vs England highlights
TRY! Feyi-Waboso with first England score
TRY! Van der Merwe hat-trick after Russell kick
Ford drop goal after Russell penalty
TRY! Van der Merwe scores sensational second
TRY! Van der Merwe hits back for Scotland
TRY! Furbank scores early England try
Nick Purewal's match report from Murrayfield
19:37 , George Flood
Duhan van der Merwe’s record-breaking Calcutta Cup demolition job left England’s latest rebuild in rubble as Scotland stormed to a 30-21 victory at Murrayfield.
The powerhouse wing chiselled Scotland’s first-ever Calcutta Cup hat-trick into the annals of this historic fixture, pulverising England in the process.
The 6ft 4in monster scared the living daylights out of England with a try for the ages at Twickenham last year, swatting aside some seven would-be tacklers in Scotland’s 29-23 victory.
But somehow the 17stone giant managed to produce another all-time highlight-reel score a year down the line.
Van der Merwe had already registered a peach of a try when he raced onto Huw Jones’ pass – comfortably inside his own half – and then raced away from every white shirt on the field.
Ben Earl trailed in his wake, and Henry Slade dived through thin air to bite Van der Merwe’s dust, as the Scotland star stunned every single person in attendance. Here was a moment to remember, whatever anyone’s allegiance.
Click here to read the report in full
19:19 , George Flood
Calcutta Cup champions once again!
Not since 1970-72 have Scotland won four games in a row against the auld enemy.
The perfect tonic for Gregor Townsend’s men to shrug off that controversial last-gasp home defeat by France last time out and get their Six Nations campaign back on track ahead of the trips to Rome and Dublin to come.
Van der Merwe has now surpassed Darcy Graham, Ian Smith and Tony Stanger to move second on Scotland’s all-time try scorers list, just one behind the now-retired Stuart Hogg (27).
Nice of Scotland to make James Robson such a central part of their celebrations too as he prepares to sign off as their team doctor after more than 30 years in the role.
Duhan van der Merwe reaction
18:47 , George Flood
Here’s Scotland’s hat-trick hero talking to BBC Sport...
"I can't believe it to be honest, I have never scored a hat trick against England but I have to thank the boys for giving me the opportunity.
"I must be waking up and feeling like scoring tries. I guess I am just the lucky one to finish them off.
"We had a really good first phase, there was a lot of space open and I knew Finn was going to kick it to me.
“Lucky for me it bounced in my hands and to get my first hat-trick against England is unbelievable.”
Scotland 30-21 England
18:34 , George Flood
Full-time
Van der Merwe the hat-trick hero as Scotland retain the Calcutta Cup once again with a fourth successive win over England
Scotland 30-21 England
18:34 , George Flood
79 mins: Another huge Scotland turnover and that really will be that.
Referee Andrew Brace also quickly confirms that Van der Merwe’s yellow will stay as it is.
Murrayfield in fine voice as Flower of Scotland rings out around the ground.
Yellow card - Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
18:32 , George Flood
79 mins: Just as he’s announced as the Six Nations man of the match, Scotland’s hat-trick hero Van der Merwe lifts Freeman above the horizontal in the tackle and is deservedly yellow-carded.
This will go the bunker as well. A memorable day for the Edinburgh wing could yet end with a red...
Scotland 30-21 England
18:30 , George Flood
78 mins: Scotland lose the ball forward after a monster maul that makes some serious ground.
England have a late penalty that Fin Smith thunders into touch from more than midway inside his own half.
Scotland 30-21 England
18:29 , George Flood
76 mins: Redpath is quickly back on for Scotland.
It’s all very scrappy and time continues to eek away for England, with Lawrence misfiring a pass out wide that flies straight into touch.
Scotland surely home and dry now.
Scotland 30-21 England
18:27 , George Flood
73 mins: A late backline reshuffle from Scotland as Redpath goes off as a blood substitute and Ben Healy comes on for his first appearance of this Six Nations.
He goes to fly-half, with Finn Russell moving to 12.
Stuart is pinged for head-on-head contact at the scrum in another blow for England, with time quickly running out.
Scotland 30-21 England
18:25 , George Flood
71 mins: Theo Dan is on at hooker for England, Jamie George off.
Scotland have sent on Sam Skinner for Gilchrist.
Scotland 30-21 England
18:23 , George Flood
70 mins: More momentum for England as Scotland are whistled for crossing.
However, they can’t turn it into points as Itoje is held up in the tackle and the hosts get the put-in at the scrum.
That’s a huge, huge moment in this game.
Scotland 30-21 England
18:21 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at Murrayfield
England pull a try out of nothing through Manny Feyi-Waboso, with a smart finish.
But then Fin Smith pinged the conversion attempt against the post.
Scotland lead 30-21, and while England have made it interesting, the home side will hope they can get over the line this time.
TRY! Scotland 30-21 England | Immanuel Feyi-Waboso 67'
18:18 , George Flood
67 mins: Hold on just a moment!
He’s not long been on for Slade, but Feyi-Waboso is over for his first England try after being played through by Spencer.
Fin Smith’s conversion bounces back off the post!
The Scottish lead is at nine...
PENALTY! Scotland 30-16 England | Finn Russell 65'
18:16 , George Flood
65 mins: He just cannot miss.
Straight through the posts from Russell and the Scotland lead is 14 points with just 15 minutes to play at Murrayfield.
Scotland 27-16 England
18:16 , George Flood
63 mins: England are battling well here and Earl powers forward, but Millar-Mills has just earned a potentially crucial breakdown penalty for Scotland.
Finn Russell lines up another kick, this one straight from 40 metres out.
Celebrations in the Scottish coaching box after that penalty.
Scotland 27-16 England
18:13 , George Flood
Take a bow, Duhan van der Merwe...
3 - Duhan van der Merwe has become the first player to score a #GuinnessM6N hat-trick since teammate Blair Kinghorn against Italy last year and the first ever player to do so against England in the Six Nations era. Treble. pic.twitter.com/WbuFWGohBm
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) February 24, 2024
Scotland 27-16 England
18:12 , George Flood
61 mins: Penalties galore from both teams now in a scrappy period of the game, including a fine strip from Scotland’s replacement hooker Ashman.
Joe Marler and Fin Smith are coming on for England.
Ford and Genge off.
Alec Hepburn and George Horne replace Schoeman and White for Scotland.
PENALTY! Scotland 27-16 England | Finn Russell 58'
18:07 , George Flood
58 mins: He was never missing from there.
England back in an 11-point hole at Murrayfield.
Scotland 24-16 England
18:07 , George Flood
56 mins: Chandler Cunningham-South and Will Stuart are on for Sam Underhill and Dan Cole.
England caught offside at Scotland’s latest attack, giving Finn Russell an easy chance to move the lead back out to 11 points with under 25 minutes to go.
Scotland 24-16 England
18:04 , George Flood
54 mins: Hooker Ewan Ashman replaces George Turner for Scotland.
Saracens’ Andy Christie is also on in the Scottish back row. Off goes Jamie Ritchie.
Scotland 24-16 England
18:03 , George Flood
54 mins: Very important that England’s defence stood firm there amid yet more heavy Scottish pressure inside the 22.
They end up winning a penalty at the latest scrum following a Fagerson knock-on and clear into touch downfield.
Scotland 24-16 England
18:00 , George Flood
51 mins: Another quick restart catches out England and Martin and the visitors are bang under the cosh straightaway once again.
He knocks on and it’s a scrum.
PENALTY! Scotland 24-16 England | George Ford 50'
17:58 , George Flood
50 mins: Most of the impact there from Genge was on his own team-mate in Chessum, so he gets away with it.
Ford then steps up and nails a simple penalty to cut the Scottish lead to eight points with half an hour still to play.
Scotland 24-13 England
17:57 , George Flood
49 mins: George Martin makes an immediate impact for England, who attack with a penalty advantage after building some momentum for the first time in this second half.
We eventually come back for the penalty, but a potentially dangerous clear-out from Genge is going to need to be checked.
Scotland 24-13 England
17:56 , George Flood
47 mins: Danny Care and Ethan Roots have departed for England.
On come Ben Spencer and George Martin.
Scotland 24-13 England
17:55 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at Murrayfield
Well, who else but Van Der Merwe?
That’s the first ever Scottish hat-trick in a Calcutta Cup match.
And the home crowd are singing Flower of Scotland.
Cameron Redpath raced through England’s porous midfield, then Russell’s pinpoint cross-field kick allowed Van der Merwe to stroll in.
TRY! Scotland 24-13 England | Duhan van der Merwe 45'
17:51 , George Flood
45 mins: A hat-trick of tries for Van der Merwe!
Cummings steals another England lineout and Redpath breaks through the middle.
Russell ends up producing a perfect kick into the path of Van der Merwe, who scoops up the loose ball to touch down his third try of the evening in the left corner. Devastating.
Russell produces another stellar conversion from wide on the left. The Scottish lead is up to 11.
Scotland 17-13 England
17:50 , George Flood
44 mins: Slade is down and receiving treatment for England.
Looks like he will be okay to continue for now.
Scotland 17-13 England
17:49 , George Flood
43 mins: A monster defensive set from England in front of their own line after Scotland pile on the pressure straight after the interval.
The Scots inch closer and closer but are eventually pinged for not releasing and it gives Ford the chance to boot clear into touch.
Scotland 17-13 England
17:46 , George Flood
Back underway at Murrayfield!
We should mention that Zander Fagerson passed his HIA earlier on.
But Scotland have lost Tuipulotu already in the second half to injury.
On comes Bath’s former England youth international Cameron Redpath.
Scotland 17-13 England
17:43 , George Flood
Here is that sensational second Van der Merwe try.
He just loves a blockbuster score against England
A special try from a special talent. 👏🏴
Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe with a score to savour at Murrayfield!
Watch Scotland v England live NOW on @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer. Listen on @5liveSport and @BBCSounds.#BBCRugby #CalcuttaCup #SCOENG pic.twitter.com/PWxGB6A4BM— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 24, 2024
Scotland 17-13 England
17:34 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at Murrayfield
What a half of rugby. That’s by far the most entertaining England action for some time.
Both teams are trying to play with width and ambition, and should be applauded for the endeavour.
Scotland look like they can break the line at will in midfield, with Tuipulotu and Jones constantly dangerous.
And Van der Merwe just loves carving up against England. The visitors started impressively and must hit back to that level.
England have got to keep far better care of the ball as well, with their play littered with knock-ons so far.
Scotland 17-13 England
17:31 , George Flood
Half-time
Scotland 17-13 England
17:30 , George Flood
40 mins: England have possession just before the break, but their attack quickly fizzles out and the half-time whistle sounds.
Scotland 17-13 England
17:29 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at Murrayfield
The home fans boo loudly as George Ford slots a drop goal for England from the pocket.
That cuts Scotland’s lead to 17-13, and proves a prudent call with half-time in the offing.
DROP GOAL! Scotland 17-13 England | George Ford 37'
17:25 , George Flood
37 mins: England within four again after a stunning long-range drop goal from Ford.
Some boos from the crowd, but you can’t argue with that decision - stifles the Scottish momentum and gets the visitors back on the board with half-time looming.
PENALTY! Scotland 17-10 England | Finn Russell 36'
17:24 , George Flood
36 mins: Russell slots over a penalty after Cummings steals at the lineout and England are pinged for offside.
From 10 points ahead, England now find themselves seven behind with half-time approaching.
Scotland 14-10 England
17:23 , George Flood
33 mins: Van der Merwe is almost in again as the ball goes loose and he tries to boot through, but it’s deflected out off the foot of Furbank.
Scotland 14-10 England
17:22 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at Murrayfield
Van der Merwe conjures another magic moment against England, storming in from fully 60 metres.
Not content with his first score, or the absolute worldie he scored at Twickenham last year, the hulking Scotland wing has done it again.
Ford’s bullet pass ricocheted off the luckless Furbank, and Jones set Van der Merwe away from inside his own half.
Another touchline conversion from Russell and now Scotland lead 14-10.
TRY! Scotland 14-10 England | Duhan van der Merwe 30'
17:19 , George Flood
29 mins: England have been asking all the questions since that first Scottish try, but Ford’s pass bounces off the hands of Furbank and is intercepted by Jones, who quickly finds Van der Merwe.
He turns on the jets to lose Earl and then force a missed tackle by Slade, thundering home down that left wing to score a sensational individual try from all of 60 metres.
Finn Russell converts again from out wide. A critical turnover from England and Van der Merwe’s stylish brace has the hosts in the lead.
Scotland 7-10 England
17:17 , George Flood
26 mins: Really physical stuff now, with England on the attack again after another penalty earned at the breakdown.
However, they are forced into touch on the near side and Scotland’s defence then hold firm again as Daly pleads his case to the referee.
Scotland 7-10 England
17:14 , George Flood
Scotland hit back through Duhan van der Merwe...
Scotland find a way through! 🏉
A thrilling start to this year's #CalcuttaCup. 🔥
Watch @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer. Listen on @5liveSport and @BBCSounds.#BBCRugby #SixNations #SCOENG pic.twitter.com/kcr7Z6lsin— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 24, 2024
Scotland 7-10 England
17:13 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at Murrayfield
Scotland have just lit this game on fire with a sumptuous try befitting of any occasion.
Tuipulotu sent Huw Jones racing clear, and the outside centre then popped off the ground to keep the move alive.
Van Der Merwe then crashed home, even selling Ford with an outrageous dummy.
Russell’s conversion from the touchline put the cherry on top, cutting England’s lead to three points.
TRY! Scotland 7-10 England | Duhan van der Merwe 20'
17:08 , George Flood
20 mins: He loves a try in this fixture!
Scotland attack off the scrum and Tuipulotu sends through centre partner Jones, who gets brought down and offloads well off the floor for Van der Merwe - who does the rest including a lovely dummy.
England’s blitz defence found wanting with someone jumping out of the line.
A tough conversion is made by Finn Russell and Scotland have their response. They only trail by three now.
Scotland 0-10 England
17:07 , George Flood
17 mins: A Scottish lineout goes awry before Van der Merwe finds himself stripped on the run by Ford.
Great work from Underhill to win a penalty, with England’s players roaring in triumph.
Scotland 0-10 England
17:04 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at Murrayfield
England have enjoyed almost the perfect start here.
The visitors are 10-0 up despite making a few messy errors.
The new attack looks to be gelling already and Furbank has a try to vindicate his selection.
Now England need to keep the focus.
PENALTY! Scotland 0-10 England | George Ford 15'
17:03 , George Flood
15 mins: No mistake from Ford.
15 minutes gone at Murrayfield and confident England lead by 10 points.
Scotland need a response.
Scotland 0-7 England
17:02 , George Flood
13 mins: Scotland can’t sustain any sort of momentum early on here as a little up-and-under by Ford finds its way off Kinghorn into the grateful hands of Itoje.
England attack again and have a penalty advantage, which we come back for after Ford’s free shot into the 22.
England’s kick chase has been very effective so far here and they are forcing Scotland into repeated errors.
Ford to kick at goal for an early double-digit lead...
Scotland 0-7 England
16:59 , George Flood
11 mins: Another knock-on halts England, this time Lawrence.
They had been gifted another chance by Scotland, who have started very poorly here.
Scotland 0-7 England
16:59 , George Flood
What a start for England and George Furbank...
A perfect start for England in the #CalcuttaCup!#BBCRugby #SCOENG #SixNations pic.twitter.com/kakM3rmdBD
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 24, 2024
Scotland 0-7 England
16:58 , George Flood
9 mins: All of the early decisions are going England’s way, with replacement tighthead Millar-Mills going down at his first scrum.
However, their latest attack is thwarted by another knock-on.
Scotland 0-7 England
16:56 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at Murrayfield
England draw first blood with a fine first-phase try from a scrum in the Scotland 22.
Ben Earl’s No 8 break created an extra man, that England then exploited with Daly sending Furbank home.
George Ford’s conversion puts England 7-0 to the good, for the ideal Red Rose start.
Scotland 0-7 England
16:55 , George Flood
7 mins: Another early blow for Scotland as Zander Fagerson is ordered off for a HIA.
Elliot Millar-Mills into the front row for now.
TRY! Scotland 0-7 England | George Furbank 6'
16:52 , George Flood
6 mins: England strike early at Murrayfield!
They attack wonderfully off the scrum through Earl, Care staying flat, Lawrence acting as a decoy and Ford and Daly then combining to send Furbank through.
Ford adds the conversion. A great start from the visitors - just what Steve Borthwick would have wanted.
Scotland 0-0 England
16:51 , George Flood
5 mins: The first scrum takes a while to get properly set.
England get the decision and opt for another.
Scotland 0-0 England
16:49 , George Flood
3 mins: The start of this game is being played at 100 miles per hour.
Scotland’s first lineout is unchallenged, but here come England again as they work the ball out to the left flank.
They move their way to the edge of the Scottish 22, but Care’s poor low pass is knocked on by Slade.
England had numbers on the short side there and that was a real chance.
Both sides keen to play fast, running rugby early on.
Scotland 0-0 England
16:47 , George Flood
1 min: A lively start from Scotland with a superb take from Kinghorn and bruising run from Tuipulotu, their opening move halted with a loose pass that goes out of play on the near side.
Chessum safely claims the subsequent lineout and England can get forward for the first time.
Scotland vs England
16:46 , George Flood
Underway at Murrayfield with George Ford’s kick!
Can England end their recent run of defeats in the Calcutta Cup?
Huge stakes in this one....
Scotland vs England
16:43 , George Flood
Ireland’s Andrew Brace is today’s referee, by the way.
Scotland vs England
16:42 , George Flood
Here come the players into the Murrayfield cauldron!
They walk past the Calcutta Cup on their way out onto the pitch.
National anthems up next, with God Save the King to be followed by Flower of Scotland.
Scotland vs England
16:37 , George Flood
The atmosphere at Murrayfield is building very nicely with kick-off now less than 10 minutes away.
The players will be out very shortly. The England squad will be wearing black armbands in memory of Jamie George’s late mother, Jane.
Scotland vs England
16:27 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at Murrayfield
England marched into Murrayfield led by a brass band.
The Red Rose men will hope to hit all the right notes and in the right order too against Scotland this afternoon.
England are still seeking tight rhythm and strict tempo in this latest configuration under Steve Borthwick.
Scotland are clear favourites for this match though, and will be desperate to hit back after losing out at the death to France in round two.
England will need their best performance in some time to win this match.
Ireland beat Wales to move closer to second straight Grand Slam
16:21 , George Flood
It’s all over in Dublin, where defending champions Ireland have made it three wins out of three, beating Wales 31-7, to continue their seemingly inexorable march to the first back-to-back Grand Slam triumphs of the Six Nations era.
It was far from totally unconvincing from a change from the Men in Green, but they still wrap up the bonus point with tries from Dan Sheehan, James Lowe, Ciaran Frawley and Tadhg Beirne.
Another spirited performance from Warren Gatland’s young Welsh side but with nothing to show from it again in terms of the result.
Their only score was a penalty try.
Gregor Townsend: Scotland's full focus on Calcutta Cup
16:16 , George Flood
Gregor Townsend insisted this week that his team’s sole focus was now on extending their impressive recent Calcutta Cup record, with no thought to how that hugely controversial defeat by France has impacted their title prospects.
"When you're coming in off the back of a defeat, you have to bounce back with a victory," said Townsend.
"You're not really thinking about the championship. We'll see where we are on Saturday.
"The full focus is on this game because it's our most important game of the season.
"It's the most important game for our supporters and we also play for a trophy, in amongst the Triple Crown and other trophies.
"But this is one that we're focused on more than the others. That probably shouldn't be the case, but it is.
"It's history. It's emotion. We've seen the impact this game has on Scottish supporters when we do manage to get a victory in this fixture. That'll drive us on Saturday."
Scotland vs England
16:05 , George Flood
Standard Sport’s rugby correspondent Nick Purewal has arrived at Murrayfield and offers his thoughts on today’s huge Calcutta Cup clash...
🗣️ "England are looking for a massive performance today, but Scotland will be expecting to win."@NickPurewal is at Murrayfield to preview today's huge Calcutta Cup showdown
LIVE: https://t.co/ps8hBkMUNO#SCOvENG | #SixNations pic.twitter.com/vDNtda2PBx— Standard Sport (@standardsport) February 24, 2024
England squad receive warm welcome at Murrayfield
15:55 , George Flood
As expected, not the friendliest welcome to the England squad at Murrayfield...
A warm welcome to Murrayfield 🌹@o2 | #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/q9j87PwqgB
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 24, 2024
15:47 , George Flood
The two teams arriving at Murrayfield a little earlier on.
A friendly welcome for the visitors no doubt...
Inspirational Jamie George has already delivered on England captaincy promise
15:37 , George Flood
Jamie George will sit on the bench at Murrayfield watching supporters file into the stadium and think about his mum, Jane, writes Nick Purewal.
The England captain’s mother died, aged 68, on Wednesday last week, but the Saracens hooker still opted to take part in an open training session at Twickenham last Friday.
George wanted to occupy his mind, and England were fully ready to accede to his wishes.
If the 33-year-old 87-cap front-rower had wanted time off to grieve, head coach Steve Borthwick would without doubt have agreed.
Instead, George will take all the raw emotion encapsulated in losing a loved one and wrap it up into the fire, fury and frenzy that is the Calcutta Cup and proudly lead England into battle.
George has developed a custom of sitting pitch-side in the early stages of pre-match preparation.
The England skipper’s heart will no doubt swell as he sits in the dugout, warming himself on the fact that his mum got to his see him captain his country.
Read the match preview in full
England extra motivated to win for inspirational captain Jamie George
15:32 , George Flood
Jamie George’s handling of such a sad situation has been hailed by his team-mates, who are extra motivated to win today for their inspirational captain.
“To handle all this the way he has, speak so openly and candidly, and be here leading this team — it is the sign of an incredible man and an incredible leader,” said George Furbank.
“It has been a pretty hard time for him and his family. To go through that and then to come back into camp and lead the boys with no real difference is incredibly impressive.
“It has given all the boys extra motivation to galvanise around him. It adds an extra bit of motivation for us for the match. You want to do it for him and for his family.”
Joe Marler said on Friday: “Jamie has been incredible.
“I remember talking to him a few weeks before coming into camp, and he was talking about the captaincy being offered to him, and he wasn’t sure whether he was going to take it up with things going on with his mum.
“Having known Jane since I was about 16, coming through the age groups with Jamie, I said to him, ‘mate, just flip it and tell her you’re not doing it and see how upset, disappointed and gutted she’d be if you didn’t do it’.
“I said, ‘you’ve got enough support around you in terms of the senior group to help you with it and you’re the best bloke for it, so let’s crack on and do it’.
“I’m pleased that he did, and it has been tough since we found out about Jane, but he’s shown huge strength – and vulnerability too – which is great for the whole group, especially the youngsters to see that.
“He’s very much thinking, ‘I want to come up here, get the job done’. He’s dealt with it incredibly well.
“We hope we can finish it off with a win up here.”
Jamie George: Me playing today is what my mum would have wanted
15:22 , George Flood
Today is set to be an emotional occasion for Jamie George, who will lead England out just 10 days after the passing of his mother from cancer.
The captain spoke candidly and emotionally on the situation on Thursday, insisting that him still playing in this game is what his mum would have wanted.
“Playing in this match is what my mum would have wanted,” he said.
“Wherever she is now she will be looking down telling everyone that her son is the England captain.
“I know for a fact that meant a huge amount to her.
“Whenever I’ve played, I’ve always wanted to make my family proud. It’s been a huge driver for me. That won’t change this weekend – it will probably be enhanced.
“It will be emotional for me coming out. It will be the first game that she won’t be there. She wasn’t able to come to the first two games to watch, which has been tough in itself.
“I found out about her cancer diagnosis on the same day I found out I was going to be England captain, so that was a pretty mixed day.
“We’ve been going through a lot as a family for a long period. The deterioration she had was really fast.
“I found out on Sunday about the fact that she was terminal, and she passed away on Wednesday last week.”
Quiet before the storm at Murrayfield
15:11 , George Flood
The quiet before the storm at Murrayfield, where England were edged out 20-17 on their last visit in 2022 after a dramatic late penalty try.
They did win here back in 2020, their only victory over the auld enemy since 2017, Ellis Genge scoring the only try of the game in a 13-6 error-strewn triumph played out in truly miserable weather conditions.
There will be some atmosphere in store later. Can England defy the noise of the cauldron to end their run of Calcutta Cup losses?
George Furbank: I feel like a different player now
14:58 , George Flood
George Furbank will earn his seventh England cap today, but has not started a Test since the 25-13 Six Nations defeat by France in Paris in 2022.
His selection today, especially at the expense of such a popular and consistent player in Freddie Steward, has raised more than a few eyebrows, though he has starred for Premiership leaders Northampton this term and can operate alongside the likes of George Ford and Henry Slade as an additional playmaker to help complement the power running of returning centre Ollie Lawrence.
It’s an attacking move from a usually conservative coach in Steve Borthwick, but the kind of decision that could backfire badly if things go pear-shaped at Murrayfield this evening.
“I’ve definitely grown as a player and a person,” said Furbank - who can also play at fly-half - this week.
“I’ve actually put on a bit of size, which has helped, but also I’ve learned a lot about the mental side of things.
“Having a leadership role at Saints has helped develop me as a character, too. I feel like a different player now.”
Dallaglio: Borthwick right to rely on England experience
14:41 , George Flood
Saturday’s Six Nations game against Scotland is as important as a World Cup semi-final or final for England, writes Lawrence Dallaglio.
I lost to Scotland only once in my career and, being perfectly honest, that was once too often. England in my era blew three Grand Slam chances, but I would not swap our journey to the World Cup triumph for anything.
This England team are in a different space, it is the start of a new journey. And if they could win this game, it would represent a huge result.
Progressing with a new group is about small steps. They will have to increase markedly the level of accuracy and intensity from the first two games, but I think they are capable of it.
Scotland vs England prediction
14:26 , George Flood
Having been the underdogs in this fixture for so long, Scotland will now be considered favourites to notch up a fourth straight win over England in the cauldron of Murrayfield today.
With France seemingly dropping off a level without superstar leader Antoine Dupont, Gregor Townsend’s men may fancy themselves as the closest challengers to mighty Ireland despite the pain of that not-given last-second try that would have handed them a famous victory over Les Bleus last time out.
England were rather lacklustre in Rome and it was far from pretty again against Wales, meaning they will need to step it up a level if they are to have a chance of regaining the Calcutta Cup in hostile surroundings.
It’s not difficult to foresee another physical and gruelling encounter that should be high on drama, with the hosts likely claiming bragging rights once more in this famous old fixture.
Scotland to win, by seven points.
England lineup as Borthwick makes shock Furbank call
14:24 , George Flood
There are five changes to the England team that started the battling 16-14 win over Wales at Twickenham a fortnight ago, with both props changed as Ellis Genge and Dan Cole get the nod over Joe Marler and Will Stuart.
The fit-again Ollie Lawrence gives the backline a huge power boost as he comes in for Fraser Dingwall, while veteran scrum-half Danny Care earns his 99th cap in place of the injured Alex Mitchell - backed up by Ben Spencer.
The most surprising call is at full-back, where vaunted high-ball specialist Freddie Steward is dropped entirely as Northampton’s George Furbank comes in.
Leicester lock George Martin is back from injury on the bench, but there is no place yet for Manu Tuilagi.
England XV: G Furbank; T Freeman, H Slade, O Lawrence, E Daly; G Ford, D Care; E Genge, J George (c), D Cole; M Itoje, O Chessum; E Roots, S Underhill, B Earl
Replacements: T Dan, J Marler, W Stuart, G Martin, C Cunningham-South, B Spencer, F Smith, I Feyi-Waboso
Scotland lineup as Kinghorn, Steyn and Ritchie all return
14:19 , George Flood
Scotland have made three changes to the side edged out by France in such controversial fashion at Murrayfield two weeks ago, with former captain Jamie Ritchie restored to the back row in place of Matt Fagerson.
Blair Kinghorn replaces Harry Paterson at full-back after recovering from a knee injury, while Kyle Steyn comes in for Kyle Rowe on the wing having missed the France game following the birth of his child.
The bench is unchanged, meaning no places for that dropped trio or fit-again prop WP Nel as the likes of Elliot Millar-Mills and Ben Healy continue.
Scotland XV: B Kinghorn; K Steyn, H Jones, S Tuipulotu, D Van der Merwe; F Russell (co-c), B White; P Schoeman, G Turner, Z Fagerson, G Gilchrist, S Cummings, J Ritchie, R Darge (co-c), J Dempsey
Replacements: E Ashman, A Hepburn, E Millar-Mills, S Skinner, A Christie, G Horne, B Healy, C Redpath
How to watch Scotland vs England
14:16 , George Flood
TV channel: In the UK, Scotland vs England will be shown live and free-to-air today on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 4pm.
Live stream: The BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer will also be offering a free live stream service online.
Welcome to Scotland vs England live coverage
14:15 , George Flood
Rugby's oldest rivalry is renewed today as England head up to Edinburgh for the latest Calcutta Cup showdown against Scotland in the Six Nations.
After spending so many years as the underdogs, the hosts have now won this famous fixture three times in a row, including back-to-back triumphs at Twickenham.
They haven't beaten England four times in succession since the early 1970s, while they have lost to the auld enemy now just once since 2017.
Steve Borthwick's side have yet to really impress in this year's competition despite their surprise run to the World Cup semi-finals in the autumn, but they are still technically in the mix for an unlikely Grand Slam after battling wins over both Italy and Wales.
England know they must find another level today in the Murrayfield cauldron against a Scotland team that were controversially denied a famous last-gasp win over France here a fortnight ago having just seen off an epic Wales fightback on opening weekend to win in Cardiff for the first time since 2002.
The stakes are as high as ever in the Calcutta Cup, with kick-off coming at 4:45pm GMT.
We will have all the match build-up, team news and live updates from across the game, including expert analysis from Standard Sport's rugby correspondent Nick Purewal at Murrayfield.