England determined to end Calcutta Cup ‘hurt’ and avoid unwanted history

Alex Mitchell admits that England are “hurting” following a record-equalling run of four successive defeats against Scotland.

Gregor Townsend’s team will eclipse sequences achieved between 1893 and 1896 and during the early 1970s if they triumph at Allianz Stadium next Saturday.

The Calcutta Cup has been in Scotland’s possession since 2021, and another win would derail England’s momentum gained from a thrilling 26-25 victory over France.

“We are hurting the last four years,” England scrum-half Mitchell said. “It’s not nice to lose that many on the bounce.

“It is a massive rivalry, and obviously the last couple of years we’ve not come out on top, but it is a fantastic game, always a massive Test match.

“The atmospheres are always huge, and for me these are the games you want to play in and the biggest games of your career, so personally I can’t wait.

“I wouldn’t say there is a monkey on our back at all. Obviously, we need to respect quality opposition with quality individuals, but we just need to look after our game-plan and our performance.

“I have actually got one mate from school who is from Scotland, so he always gives me a bit of grief. If I am playing, he is going to come down and wear his Scotland top.

“I don’t know why I am going to get him a ticket – I probably shouldn’t.”

Northampton star Mitchell has become a mainstay and pivotal figure in England head coach Steve Borthwick’s plans.

He won his 20th cap in the win against France, and he is likely to be a driving force during remaining Six Nations appointments with Scotland, Italy and Wales.

Another big challenge on the horizon