How many column inches have been devoted to George Ford in recent months? He started the Six Nations as he finished his autumn international campaign against New Zealand — in complete control of proceedings. A fly half who has waited a good decade to be handed the keys, not just to the position but to the complete control of the team. Maro Itoje may lead by his example, but the Sale Sharks fly half is first among strategists.
And yet his Sale team-mate, Luke Cowan-Dickie, a ferocious hooker in both attack and defence, will be equally important if England are to take the second step towards a shot at the grand slam in Paris, by beating Scotland at Murrayfield. On Tuesday, Ford offered up an accurate analysis of England’s not always aesthetically pleasing pressure: “You want to make sure your foundations and fundamentals are strong.”
George needs those foundations. Whereas Scotland’s lineout foundations collapsed in the Eternal City, quite probably costing them the match, England were immaculate against what can only be described as immature opposition in Wales.
Ford ran the show against Wales and was helped by England laying down strong foundations around him
BOB BRADFORD – CAMERASPORT VIA GETTY IMAGES
England kick a lot and they kick well. There’s a reason, a rationale, that was missing in the dying embers of the Eddie Jones era and the early years of Steve Borthwick’s reign. “There’s no point just kicking the ball and getting the ball [back] and not doing anything with it and kicking it again,” Ford said.
This is pretty close to a perfect definition of England at their most mindless. Now there is a plan and — crucially — there are foundations. Set piece, defence and the kicking game. It merges into a whole when the masters of this style, the Springboks, are at their best.
When they delivered a record defeat of the All Blacks in Wellington, during last year’s Rugby Championship, the now former New Zealand coach, Scott Robertson, looked almost shell-shocked in the post-match TV interview as he accurately reflected on how the world champions reclaimed just about every box-kick and turned broken-field ball into brilliant running rugby.
I would love to see the Finn Russell, who has tormented England over the years, take the game to the visiting side and attack whenever he identifies space, but he’s become a little too ready to play exactly the same territorial kicking game for Bath as Ford does for England. The English champions are a mirror image of South Africa; no surprise when you consider their coach is a South African.
Like he has done in the past, Russell needs to take the game to England and attack wherever he finds space
EPA/RICCARDO ANTIMIANI
The Scotland fly half has too sharp a rugby brain to make too many daft decisions. And that will suit England fine. The safest option will be to clear the ball from their own tryline and reset the defence for the lineout.
And here, after a lengthy tactical diversion, we get to Cowan-Dickie. Scotland crumbled in Rome, but they will surely try to target the England lineout at its very source.
Itoje, the outstanding Ollie Chessum, and Guy Pepper offer a fast-moving variety of options. Should Scotland stand still and dig their studs into the Murrayfield turf, England will steamroller them, force penalties, kick to the corner and score tries.
Scotland’s lineout came under huge pressure in Rome, and ultimately crumbled
TIM ROGERS/SHUTTERSTOCK
Jamie George is the most accurate thrower in the England squad. Captain against Wales, his impact against Scotland will come from the bench.
If the score is close with half an hour to go, England will want his cool accuracy in times of potential crisis. If Cowan-Dickie is allowed an easy array of lineout options, there will be no crisis. Indeed, he is likely to be the bloke burrowing over for a first-half try — or two.
However, should Scotland do to him what Italy did to Ewan Ashman, Ford will find life much more difficult. It’s rugby’s drip effect.
Cowan-Dickie is a more aggressive player than George. He’s a threat anywhere within ten metres of the tryline, but he’s been found wanting as a thrower in the past. He has got to be perceived as an opportunity to every time England throw in.
Cowan-Dickie offers excellent carrying skills but his throwing at the lineout is less accurate than George’s
EDITORIAL SIMON KING/PROSPORTS/SHUTTERSTOCK
Aerially, England are bound to attack Scotland. The 2026 Six Nations will be the tournament where rugby witnessed a significant change to the lineout. Perceived wisdom has long been to defend the throwing-in side’s drive on the ground.
All that is changing. By intention or otherwise, the law change which allows crooked throws if the defensive lineout does not compete has encouraged coaches to target the lineout and — most of all — the hooker. Tall trees are beginning to sprout everywhere. Imagine how unnerving that is, at the moment you release the throw.
For most of his career, Cowan-Dickie and the world of hookers have occasionally been confronted with the odd defensive jumper. Italy sent a forest into the skies and Scotland’s basics broke under the pressure. France no longer have a front, second and back row. They have a front row and a back five; from Nos 4-8, they all are capable of shifting in the lineout.
In recent years, Scotland’s lineout has functioned fairly efficiently. It cost them in Italy and it will cost them any chance of winning this weekend unless they can cut the umbilical cord between the starting hooker and his targets.
If the lineout malfunctions on their own throw (or rather, England get their arms and hands between hooker and jumper) George will be coming off the bench to celebrate a convincing England win. None of his nous will be needed.
Scotland v England
Murrayfield
Saturday, 4.40pm
TV ITV1
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