There are many one-sided rivalries in the world of sport, Liverpool v Everton, Tiger Woods v Phil Mickelson, Usain Bolt v Tyson Gay, but there is none quite so unique as Scotland v England.
Now, I am not talking about the last one hundred years but merely recent history; with England only winning one of their last five encounters against the Scots. A feeble return for a side that, on paper, should be beating Scotland regularly.
So, it’s fair to say that this rivalry has been particularly one sided in the last five years (Despite England winning the previous nine in a row dating back to 2009).
But I argue that this one-sided rivalry is one-sided in more than one sense of the phrase.
In effect, Scotland are totally, unhealthily and inexcusably obsessed about beating England.
And the feeling isn’t necessarily mutual.
And when I say Scotland, I mean Gregor Townsend’s Scotland.
Townsend’s mentality towards England and this particular fixture shouldn’t be surprising, but does he need to question that it might be having a detrimental effect on his squad’s performance more generally.
Despite pulling off two famous and rather dominant victories in both 2021 and 2022 against England, Scotland then preceded to lose the next game in each year.
Townsend loves labelling his side the underdog, more than any other international coach. Even when the matchup is far more even. He is well used to trotting out the ‘prove them wrong’ attitude. And Scotland’s inconsistent form and their inability to back a win up the next week in the Six Nations has been well documented.
Townsend has largely hung the success of his tenure on the victories against England, without them there wouldn’t be much else to point to.
Clearly his sides unhealthy obsession with beating England has a huge bearing when they’re up against another side, deeming their opposition too unworthy of the effort they level at their English foes.
And while this mentality has worked in carving famous victories, the first win in Twickenham since 1983, ultimately it is clearly proving determinantal elsewhere.
But does Townsend learn his lesson.
Nope.
Just this week when asked about the goals for the Six Nations he said, ‘Yep England is the one we are most eyeing up, more than any other.’
Some would say this is refreshing for a coach to say, rather than the cliched ‘next game at a time’ that Borthwick has been pedalling. But what about claiming the scalps of the World Number one and two ranked sides?!
I’m guessing it is just the Two Nations Championship in Townsends eyes?
One the other side of this ‘rivalry’ we have England. Who if asked, ‘which side do you most want to beat this year’ the players would most likely answer, South Africa, Ireland, or France. Scotland isn’t an obsession for them and its probably not even in their periphery.
You may just think I am a bitter and jealous Englishman who is triggered by Townsends success over us in recent years. And you’d be correct.
But this ‘rivalry’, is truly one sided. I am sure the Scottish obsession with this fixture will continue in the same vain, I just hope the results go the other way!
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