Scotland v England: Visitors can mint new era in Six Nations tie

Because England’s winning streak started with some streaky wins.

Victory over France in round two of last year’s Six Nations was delivered, in part, by Gallic butterfingers.

The one-point win over Scotland a fortnight later would have been defeat had Russell nailed a final-play conversion shot.

After closing out that Six Nations campaign with wins over Italy and Wales, England, without 14 British and Irish Lions, impressed by beating Argentina twice on a two-Test tour.

But the Pumas, run ragged by the 12-month demands on their star players, were also at less than full strength.

Victory over New Zealand was the centrepiece of England’s autumn, but the subsequent sacking of Scott Robertson suggested that the All Blacks were not taking up tools with their usual gusto.

England’s current run has been built around Twickenham. Can they go on the road and break the hex that Scotland have held over them in recent years?

If not, back-to-back away trips to the Stade de France and Ellis Park to play France and South Africa in March and July respectively suddenly look a whole lot more daunting.

There are some relative Test rookies in their line-up. Henry Arundell is much improved in defence, but was barely tested against Wales last week. Tommy Freeman is learning on the job at centre, a potential opening that Sione Tuipulotu and Jones will attempt to exploit. Guy Pepper, eight caps deep, will be a target for wily opposite number Jamie Ritchie.

Elsewhere Luke Cowan-Dickie can wobble on the oche at line-out time, while England’s replacements did not accelerate away from Wales as Borthwick might have hoped, with the hosts shading the second half by a relatively narrow 19-7.

They are minor quibbles. Certainly in comparison to Scotland’s.

Gregor Townsend’s men were stung by a defeat by Italy that might signal the beginning of the end for both a coach and a generation of stellar players.

But, those happier, more distant memories are also still resident in their line-up.

Two names remain from the 23 who beat England eight years ago – Russell, who threw the pass, and Jones, who caught it.

England must break that link to the past.