Six Nations: England aim to crush ghosts in brutal Murrayfield test

England arrive at Murrayfield on Saturday seeking to validate their 12-match winning streak against a Scotland side that has tormented them in recent Calcutta Cup history.

The pass that changed history

It was a single moment of brilliance that turned a defence inside out and twisted a rivalry upside down.

Back in 2018, the hosts had not beaten their southern neighbours in Edinburgh for a decade.

The oldest fixture in international rugby was showing its age, with the Scots winning just three of the previous 29 meetings.

Then Finn Russell threw the ball that changed everything.

With a torpedo pass that froze the defence, the fly-half sparked a movement that signaled a changing of the guard.

A rivalry reborn

Since that 25-13 victory for the home side, the Red Rose have tasted success just twice in eight meetings.

What was once an annual formality has become a brutal benchmark the visitors struggle to reach.

Saturday’s trip to Edinburgh now looks like the pinch point that will define Steve Borthwick’s title dreams.

This is an upwardly mobile team, however, too excited about the future to dwell on the past.

Borthwick’s brave new era

The visitors bounce north on the back of 12 consecutive victories and blossoming strength in depth.

Such is their options, fit-again centre Ollie Lawrence has been omitted from the matchday 23 without stirring much comment.

Even an injury to prop Will Stuart has been shrugged off thanks to the emergence of Joe Heyes.

Captain Maro Itoje returns to the XV, while big-match staple Tom Curry provides reinforcement from the bench.

Validating the streak

Momentum gathers apace, but quiet doubts remain that only a victory at the home of Scottish rugby will ease.

Critics suggest the current winning run began with some fortuitous results.

Last year’s one-point victory over Gregor Townsend’s side would have been a defeat had Russell nailed a final-play conversion.

To prove this era is truly different, England must exorcise the ghosts of Murrayfield once and for all.