England are ready to deliver the first silverware of Clive Woodward's coaching reign, landing not only rugby union's inaugural Six Nations title but a Grand Slam and Triple Crown for good measure, when they travel to Murrayfield tomorrow.
Yet Lawrence Dallaglio, England's imperious battle-hardened back-row warrior, knows from bitter personal experience that things can go horribly pear-shaped just when you least expect. He was at the helm when Welsh stars Scott Gibbs and Neil Jenkins dramatically ruined England's season at Wembley a year ago. That is why England's talisman number eight steadfastly refuses to accept the major prize in European rugby is as good as won.
While Scotland are facing a first Championship whitewash for 15 years, England can complete arguably the most comprehensive Grand Slam ever seen. Averaging more than 40 points and almost five tries a game, they have proved themselves as easily the fittest, fastest and most fearless team on view. Dallaglio, though, is having none of it. The Five Nations trophy was within England's grasp last April before Jenkins converted Gibbs' remarkable injury-time try and destroyed the dream.
“The fact that England haven't won a Grand Slam since 1995 shows just how hard they are to accomplish,” said Dallaglio, who together with back-row colleagues Richard Hill and Neil Back reaches a combined century of caps this weekend.
“We certainly appreciate that it's a very difficult thing to do, and this season has been absolutely no exception.”
“If anyone in our squad is not expecting a very serious examination on Sunday afternoon then they are in the wrong place.” he continued. “Last season we weren't consistent enough because the Championship went down to the final kick at the final match, and we didn't last that long. Scotland did - and they deserved the title.
But if Scotland were in any doubt that they carry the desperate hopes of a nation on their shoulders at Murrayfield on Sunday they need only flick through the books of good luck messages handed to them today. More than 5,000 schoolchildren recorded their best wishes for a victory over England in the Calcutta Cup match, but on paper, the task appears hopeless. England have won four matches on the trot, three by convincing margins, while Scotland have suffered the same number of defeats. The Scots have also failed to win a senior international between the two countries since the Grand Slam decider of 1990.
Although there has been a vast improvement on their appalling effort against Italy on the opening weekend, there is little evidence to suggest coach Ian McGeechan has the armoury at his disposal to halt the visitors' Grand Slam march. Once more McGeechan has made changes. The loss of captain John Leslie forced one upon him, although in choosing the bulky presence of former Canberra rugby league man James McLaren at inside centre he is clearly anticipating a physical confrontation in all areas of the field.
Moving Martin Leslie to number eight to accommodate new cap Jason White at blindside flanker should ensure more mobility in the back row, while the imposing presence of 7ft Northampton lock Richard Metcalfe will complement the excellent Scott Murray in the line-out. The contrast between the final Five Nations title last term and the wooden spoon results of this season is stark. However, McGeechan insists his team are better than their results suggest, although he admits that a failure to capitalise on periods of dominance is proving extremely costly.
“Against both France and Wales we had good spells but didn't benefit from them,” he said. “You have to get the scoreboard moving, and once that happens it is amazing how quickly pressure can build. Last year we scored points early in games, and that affects the way the game is shaped going into the latter stages.”
In the absence of Leslie, former Bath captain Andy Nicol leads the side for the first time since 1997. The Glasgow Caledonians scrum-half can provide the steel which Scotland have lacked since the recent retirement of Gary Armstrong - but he also needs help from the more experience members of the Scotland party. The shift from stand-off to outside centre against Wales did little to affect the form of Gregor Townsend, who has generally been as dismal this year as he was dynamic last. Brive hooker Steve Brotherstone faces an uncomfortable afternoon in the front-row, where props Tom Smith and Mattie Stewart must improve on their earlier efforts to stem a rampant England scrum. As the new pack leader, Northampton's Budge Pountney shoulders a huge responsibility, as do the Murrayfield crowd.
After failing to back their team in any great numbers during the World Cup, the home fans have at least shown a welcome appetite for a clash with the Auld Enemy. Three thousand tickets not sold through the Scottish clubs were snapped up within two hours, and Nicol is hoping to give the majority of the 67,500 supporters something to cheer.
