Contrasting 10s set to decide England vs Scotland

QBE ambassador Lawrence Dallaglio breaks down where England and Scotland will be won and lost at Twickenham

England fly-half Owen Farrell (PA)

Finn Russell and Owen Farrell are going to have a big impact on the way the game is played at Twickenham.

Fly-halves are always responsible for executing the game plan and there is no doubt that there are contrasting styles in terms of the way Farrell and Russell go about their business.

Farrell tends to kick more, partly because of the way England play, and Russell is more of a passing 10. 

In many ways, the battle between them typifies the work QBE have done around their Risk & Reward Index. Farrell, more often than not, plays the percentages, whereas Russell is a risk taker.

They’re both amazing rugby players, playing at the top of their game, but if you look at what Farrell has achieved in his career, he is a serial winner in everything he does and his style of play has paid off. He has won European cups, Premiership titles and Six Nations.

Russell is a seriously high performer, but he hasn’t necessarily been part of teams that have been winning consistently. 

He has had moments of brilliance in a Scotland jersey, and I can remember being at this game two years ago when England went into half-time with that big 31-point lead. 

Scotland came back in the second-half and almost won it, and Russell was mesmeric pulling the strings.

He is capable of that, but his teams haven’t consistently won and in an ideal world you’d probably have Russell’s highlight reels and Farrell’s trophy cabinet. 

Tournament winners

England

You’d have to say that England start as slight favourites, but France are hot on their heels. England have got three games at home and, even without crowds, home advantage does give you a little bit of an edge. I think their game against France in March will be pivotal as to who goes on to win the title. I’d almost put my neck on the block and say whoever wins that game will probably win the title. But I don’t see a Grand Slam and everyone being swept aside, because I think everyone has got a big performance in them.

There are interesting selections across the two backlines, particularly in the midfield. Cameron Redpath deserves the chance to make his Scotland debut and he has got a tremendous future ahead of him.

Gregor Townsend wants to see what that looks like right from the off and it is exciting we have got two young players in the centres, with Ollie Lawrence lining up for England opposite Redpath. 

I think picking Redpath sets out Scotland’s intentions as they’ve got to be a bit more measured with the way they play if they want to win. 

They are certainly capable, defensively last season they statistically had the best defence in the competition, but they conceded more turnovers than any other side and that didn’t allow them to build any pressure on their opponents.

Player to watch

Caelan Doris

I like the look of Caelan Doris from Ireland. He is not the biggest No8 in the tournament, but I certainly think he is the real deal. He has got some great skills and an all-round game. He is relatively new to international rugby, but I am excited by what I am seeing there. I like Scotland centre Cameron Redpath, who is making his debut tomorrow, as a player too. I’ve watched him week in, week out for Bath in the Premiership and he deserves his selection. He is a real eye-catching player.

This is a really evenly matched game and none more so than in the back-row. I am looking forward to that battle as both sides have picked players whose skillsets compliment each other.

Eddie Jones has gone with Mark Wilson, who he is a big fan of, because of the phenomenal work-rate he brings to the team.

Along with Tom Curry and Billy Vunipola, he’ll be trying to stop Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson and Matt Fagerson, who bring a real balance to Scotland’s back-row.

Then they’ve got the likes of Richie Gray and Gary Graham to come off the bench and England have Ben Earl - who is unlucky not to be a starter himself.

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