It seems to have become standard procedure in the past few years to have England take part in the final game of the Six Nations competition. England played Italy on the last day of the 2002 Six Nations, our boys in white took part in the Grand Slam decider at Landsdowne Road in 2003 as well as the showdown against France in 2004. The latter two were tournament-winning games, the winners of each potentially dictating which team would lift the trophy. This year however, things are very different. England take on Scotland at Twickenham with only the Calcutta Cup as prize; the overall winner of the Six Nations being decided an hour or so earlier.

It comes as no real shock that this tournament is one the England boys would like to forget sooner rather than later. The luck of the draw ensured their top three rivals would be faced first, leaving Italy and Scotland for last.

England have been fiercely criticised over the past few weeks and although previously unthinkable successive defeats may warrant this, the manner in which the team have lost does not, and prove that there is no cause for all this concern, doom and gloom. Two points down against Wales at the Millenium Stadium; one point down against France and Yashvili, the French kicking sensation; and a disallowed try by an unthinking referee against Ireland . This coupled with the ridiculous amount of injuries from key, first choice players (Wilkinson, Tindall, Greenwood , Woodman, Hill, Vickery…) ensured that England had a bumpy ride to say the least.

The game against Italy gave Andy Robinson the opportunity to literally empty the bench of substitutes. As a result, Dawson , Bell , Titterrell, Hazell, Goode, Smith and Borthwick all had a go on the pitch for varying amounts of time, even though tactical substitution such as this is something many supporters would have liked to see in the first three games.

The team remains identical to that which played at Twickenham last weekend, and why not, the formula obviously worked. A point to consider is that England beat Italy by the most points so far in the competition, doing even better than the ‘almighty' Wales . Martin Corry is once again selected as captain, much to the support of fans.

Hooker Steve Thompson once again retains the number 2 position and in many ways this was to be expected. His lineouts achieve a higher success rate every game (with help from an on form Ben Kay) and he even managed a well deserved, if somewhat controversial try against Italy . Controversial in the sense that it was only due to a two man overlap and some would go so far as calling the try selfish; claiming that the play wouldn't have worked against a tougher opponent. The facts speak for themselves though. I for one would like to see Andy Titterrell play for more than 10minutes this game though. Scotland aren't exactly known for their fierce scrummaging so perhaps choosing a smaller more mobile hooker would be the way to go; especially if the massive Duncan Bell is also taken off the bench to provide the forward pack with an extra 19 stone.

Since Jonny's comeback for England will now have to wait for, if all goes well, the Autumn Internationals, Charlie Hodgson has been given the kicker's boots at number 10, with Andy Goode once again occupying the replacement bench. Charlie's kicking for goal provided yet more worries for players and fans alike, especially given the less than close nature of the Italy game. In all honesty I was expecting Andy Goode to be given a go in the starting XV just to see how he does, considering nothing much is really at stake anymore. Andy Robinson clearly doesn't agree however. Let's just hope Charlie puts on the boots he had against Ireland. However Charlie's future with England must be under serious threat if he doesn't start performing well (in kicking terms) on a more regular basis, as he does for Sale.

The back line of Balshaw, Cueto and Lewsey makes a very welcome. The first two proved themselves very well against the Azurri and Lewsey has been playing brilliant rugby all tournament long. Hopefully Balshaw's return to form will last, and Cueto now has the impressive statistic of 7 tries in 7 matches.

The scrum half issue still rages on, with Ellis once again starting. Don't be surprised if Dawson is brought on halfway through though, as that seems to be the pattern that is developing. In both of their cases, the what was once slow offload ball has been sped up, which definately pleases the fans.

It's fair to say that Scotland put in one of the most awful performances in recent times in their first half against Wales . Ridiculous errors from one side combined with brilliant play from the other resulted in a surprisingly huge first half lead by Wales . It was the second half where Scotland proved they could be dangerous (they did score more points in the latter 40 minutes after all). Given Scotland captain Gordon Bulloch's post-match demeanour, it's fair to say that his side will be out to prove themselves this weekend. Sounds awfully familiar.

It's unsurprising therefore to learn that Scotland have made six changes from the team that played against Wales . Jason White has returned from injury, Simon Taylor has moved to number 8 and Allister Hogg switching to openside flanker. Gordon Ross, Nathan Hines, and scrum half Mike Blair, all three of which came of the replacements bench during the last match, will now start this time around. Chris Cusiter's Achilles injury provides worries for the team, and Graeme Beveridge, Stuart Grimes, John Petrie and Dan Parks are all on the bench, having previously started against Wales.

Andy Robinson says he wants to rebuild Fortress Twickenham's reputation; obviously the only way to do that is to win games. The bookies favourite is obviously England, but the team will have to perform to such a high standard if they can expect to have any hope in the Autumn. After all, Scotland is a good few places below Australia and New Zealand in the Ranking table, and given the shock Samoa gave us at the World Cup, it looks like it could be a very tough autumn. The team need to see this game as the Canada game of last november, an opportunity to play brilliant rugby and to gel as a team even more before the tougher tests ahead.

Good luck guys, the Calcutta Cup would do nicely now.

ENGLAND

15: Balshaw - 14: Cueto - 13: Noon - 12: Barkley - 11: Lewsey - 10: Hodgson - 9: Ellis - 1: Rowntree - 2: Thompson - 3: Stevens - 4: Grewcock - 5: Kay - 6: Worsley - 7: Moody - 8: Corry (C)

Replacements:
16: Titterrell - 17: Bell - 18: Borthwick - 19: Hazell - 20: Dawson - 21: Goode - 22: Smith

SCOTLAND

15: Paterson - 14: R Lamont - 13: Craig - 12: Southwell - 11: S Lamont - 10: Ross - 9: Blair - 1: Smith - 2: Bulloch (C) - 3: Kerr - 4: Hines - 5: Murray - 6: White - 7: Hogg - 8: Taylor

Replacements:
16: Russell - 17: Douglas - 18: Grimes - 19: Petrie - 20: Beveridge - 21: Parks - 22: Henderson

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