Scotland v England: Captain Tom Curry ready for Murrayfield heat in Six Nations

Six years ago Eddie Jones made a call that marked England as his own.

He chose Dylan Hartley as his captain.

«He had the courage, positivity and resolve to step forward,» Jones reflected last year.

«He would lead by example, because he was such a tough and abrasive player, but he would also use his intelligence and empathy.»

It was a surprise pick to many. Hartley was unblemished by the fall-out from England's 2015 Rugby World Cup implosion. But only because a ban for a headbutt left him sidelined for the tournament.

It wasn't Hartley's first suspension. In total, he had spent 54 weeks — more than a year — in the sin bin for various bites, gouges and stray elbows.

Relentlessly confrontational, Hartley seemed more iron fist than kid glove. But Jones' hunch was right. Hartley led England to a Grand Slam and successive Six Nations titles before handing the baton to Owen Farrell, another figurehead with more scowl than smile.

As Jones returns to Murrayfield, where he and Hartley won their first game in charge in 2016, that dynasty takes an unexpected twist.

Tom Curry is a more relaxed figure.

He was England's youngest Test debutant since Jonny Wilkinson when he appeared against Argentina as an 18-year-old in 2017.

But where Wilkinson was weighed down by his own and others' expectations, Curry seems freer, younger at heart. He enjoys himself, his rugby and things outside the sport.

At one media conference he revealed investing tips from a mates' WhatsApp group. Silver was the commodity of choice apparently.

In a live web chat he jokingly invited any admirers to «hit me up» on Instagram.external-link

It is hard to imagine Wilkinson, Farrell, Hartley or injured captaincy contender Courtney Lawes taking such detours.

But the ready grin and