Scotland vs England form guide: Stuart Hogg's sparkling footwork could hurt the visitors but Owen Farrell's ice cool kicking can break the game wide open at Murrayfield
- Scotland host England in the Six Nations on Saturday afternoon at Murrayfield
- Stuart Hogg is always capable of punishing opponents with his quick feet
- But England's Owen Farrell has been on a different level and is getting better
- Here, Nik Simon assesses the form of both teams ahead of the Edinburgh tie
Scotland host England at Murrayfield in the Six Nations on Saturday afternoon.
The Calcutta Cup is never short of drama and that theme is expected to continue when the two teams clash in Edinburgh.
Here, Nik Simon assesses the form of both sides ahead of the match.
Stuart Hogg is the man who can cause England problems with his sparkling footwork
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SCOTLAND
STUART HOGG - 9
Age: 25. Caps: 57. Sparkling footwork. Tipped to become Britain’s first million-pound player next year.
TOMMY SEYMOUR - 7
Age: 29. Caps: 41. Setting out to end Scotland’s home try drought against England, which dates back to 2004.
HUW JONES - 8
Age: 24. Caps: 13. One of Europe’s best outside centres with cutting line breaks close to try line.
PETER HORNE - 6.5
Age: 28. Caps: 30. Only player in Scottish ranks who hasn’t lost against England in the Calcutta Cup.
Huw Jones is one of Europe's best outside centres and cuts line breaks close to the try line
SEAN MAITLAND - 7
Age: 29. Caps: 31. Saracens background gives him an inside line. Will look for outside breaks.
FINN RUSSELL - 7
Age: 25. Caps: 34. Hauled off during capitulation against France but don’t write off the maverick playmaker.
GREIG LAIDLAW - 7.5
Age: 32. Caps: 60. Wise head selected ahead of Ali Price to bring control and goal-kicking at half-back.partnership.
GORDON REID - 6
Age: 30. Caps: 28. Experience of playing against the English players for London Irish could come in handy.
STUART McINALLY - 7
Age: 27. Caps: 14. Recently made Edinburgh captain having moved from flanker four years ago.
At 32, Greig Laidlaw provides a wise head after being selected ahead of Ali Price
SIMON BERGHAN - 6
Age: 27. Caps: 6. England will target the Kiwi in the scrums after seeing him drop to his knees against France.
JONNY GRAY - 7
Age: 23. Caps: 40. Confidence hit by Lions snub but has shown glimpses of his open-play power game.
GRANT GILCHRIST - 6.5
Age: 27. Caps: 20. Heavyweight ball-carrying duties will be important to counter the English rush defence.
JOHN BARCLAY - 7
Age: 31. Caps: 68. First trained with senior Scotland squad in 2004 and brings years of experience to back row.
RYAN WILSON - 6.5
Age: 28. Caps: 34. Not as strong a ball-carrier as replacement David Denton but has more niggle.
HAMISH WATSON - 7.5
Age: 26. Caps: 17. Rejected by the English system and could be a key influencer with his turnover ability.
Total: 105.5
Average: 7.03
First trained with senior Scotland squad in 2004 and brings years of experience to back row
ENGLAND
MIKE BROWN - 7.5
Age: 32. Caps: 66. Compared to Peter Shilton by Eddie Jones and will need safe hands to nullify Hogg’s chip kicks.
ANTHONY WATSON - 8.5
Age: 23. Caps: 30. Bulked up by half a stone to complement his speed and footwork which will terrify the Scots.
JONATHAN JOSEPH - 7
Age: 26. Caps: 37. Scored a hat-trick against Scotland last year and will look to intercept Russell’s passes.
OWEN FARRELL - 9.5
Age: 26. Caps: 55. Not trained fully since victory over Wales but the world’s best player knows the patterns.
Mike Brown will provide England with a safe pair of hands and can help to stop Hogg
JONNY MAY - 7.5
Age: 27. Caps: 31. Confidence is high after his double against Wales. The speedster will thrive if there’s space.
GEORGE FORD - 8
Age: 24. Caps: 42. Two years of fine-tuning midfield partnership with Farrell is paying off with clockwork dynamic.
DANNY CARE - 7
Age: 31. Caps: 78. Toned-down running game since moving from finisher to starter and provides a platform.
MAKO VUNIPOLA - 8.5
Age: 27. Caps: 46. Top of the charts against Wales with 17 tackles, 15 carries, 13 scrums and 15 lineout lifts.
Owen Farrell hasn't trained fully since the Wales game but he will be ready for Scotland
DYLAN HARTLEY - 6.5
Age: 31. Caps: 91. Overtakes Jonny Wilkinson as second most capped Englishman, 22 behind Jason Leonard.
DAN COLE - 7
Age: 30. Caps: 79. Scrum training against the mighty Georgia pack could make Scotland seem like child’s play.
JOE LAUNCHBURY - 8
Age: 26. Caps: 49. Offloaded like Sonny Bill Williams at Twickenham and has been ordered to boss the maul.
MARO ITOJE - 7
Age: 23. Caps: 16. Third-choice lock on form but has the potential to dominate around the breakdown.
Joe Launchbury (right) has been ordered to boss the maul and he really is up for the task
COURTNEY LAWES - 7.5
Age: 29. Caps: 63. Switch to the back row will allow him to fly out of the line and get in the face of Scotland’s No 10.
NATHAN HUGHES - 6
Age: 26. Caps: 12. Brings three stone more muscle than Sam Simmonds but fitness could be an issue.
CHRIS ROBSHAW - 8
Age: 31. Caps: 61. Renaissance as a No 7 but must watch out after Scots’ comments about the offside line.
Total: 113.5
Average: 7.56
The switch to the back row will allow Courtney Lawes to fly out of the line quickly
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