Gregor Townsend is assured his Scotland aspect can discover “options” to the problem of England’s new blitz defence in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup showdown at Murrayfield.
On the current World Cup, South Africa did a complete job of shutting down Finn Russell’s attacking choices with Pieter-Steph du Toit significantly influential because the Scots have been restricted to a miserly three factors in a gap pool defeat.
The architect of that defensive masterclass was Felix Jones who, having helped to ship successive World Cup triumphs for the Springboks, is now trying to deliver related rigour to England’s evolution beneath Steve Borthwick.
If the early indicators are {that a} new system will take some time to mattress in – the crimson rose rearguard was breached 3 times by Italy, whereas Wales additionally uncovered some frailties at Twickenham – Townsend believes his aspect discovered worthwhile classes from their expertise towards South Africa as they aim a fourth successive victory over England for the primary time in 52 years.
“It’s a threat and reward defence,” Scotland’s head coach mentioned. “When you’re flying up, then you definately’re not going to be as linked otherwise you’re going to depart house since you do fly up in a extra slim formation. However the reward is that if your assault is switched on and making selections faster, you’re going to hit them behind the gainline. We’re conscious of the options and what we’ve to do proper to ensure we take the house that defence affords.
“There’s a common assumption {that a} blitz defence can intimidate an assault even when it misses tackles. England have missed a couple of, so do South Africa, however it’s a part of their technique of being aggressive and proactive, so that they’re joyful to try this,” Townsend mentioned.
“There’s a cause Steve would have gone for Felix Jones as defence coach. That type in defence will get added to what they need to do, which is be actually aggressive with out the ball.
“They moved the ball within the Italy sport particularly greater than they possibly did within the World Cup, however you already know the sport they’re going to play: their DNA and basis is kicking, defence and actually focusing on the contact space and the set piece.”
Townsend was talking earlier than information emerged of England’s shock number of George Furbank at full-back, so possibly he will probably be pressured right into a reappraisal come Saturday, however you wouldn’t financial institution on it.
His file as head coach towards England – 4 wins and a draw from six conferences – is one thing his predecessors may solely dream about, however he was dismissive of any notion that Scotland’s unfamiliar standing as favourites may very well be a hindrance.
“Underdogs, favourites … it’s actually irrelevant,” Townsend mentioned. “Every time you play them it’s going to be an enormous problem. Sure, we’ve managed to have the higher hand in the previous few, however they’ve all gone all the way down to the final 10 minutes.
“You need to ship near your finest rugby to win this fixture, so it’s going to take one thing like that this week. I’m certain this one will probably be very aggressive too.”
Nowhere extra so than the bunfight on the breakdown, the place Townsend has restored former captain Jamie Ritchie to his again row on the expense of Matt Fagerson to assist counteract the menace posed by England’s Sam Underhill and No 8 Ben Earl.
Scotland staff to face England
Present
15 Blair Kinghorn14 Kyle Steyn13 Huw Jones12 Sione Tuipulotu11 Duhan van der Merwe10 Finn Russell 9 Ben White1 Pierre Schoeman2 George Turner 3 Zander Fagerson4 Grant Gilchrist5 Scott Cummings6 Jamie Ritchie7 Rory Darge8 Jack DempseyReplacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Andy Christie, 21 George Horne, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Cameron Redpath
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“Jamie’s top-of-the-line on the planet at jackals and we’ve bought one other world-class jackler in Rory Darge,” he mentioned. “Jamie’s a proud Scotsman and we consider this sport will deliver one of the best out of him.”
Whereas Townsend’s hand has been strengthened by the return of fit-again full-back Blair Kinghorn and wing Kyle Steyn to his again three, he doesn’t count on to have the ability to name on the livewire Darcy Graham, who missed the opening two matches with a quadriceps downside and has now suffered a groin damage, for the rest of the championship. “Hopefully he received’t be out for lengthy but it surely’s a blow,” he added.
