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Feb 8, 2020 at 4.45pm UK
Scotland
6-13
England
 
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Genge (70')
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Sam Underhill: 'The pressure is on for England'

:Headline: Sam Underhill: 'The pressure is on for England':
Eddie Jones' men head to Scotland needing a win.
PA | 24d

Sam Underhill admits the "pressure is on" as England attempt to rescue their Guinness Six Nations title pursuit from oblivion at Murrayfield.

Underhill relishes an international rivalry that began in 1871 and spans 137 Tests as Eddie Jones' men look to wrestle back control of the Calcutta Cup for the first time in two years.

England launched the Six Nations with a comprehensive 24-17 defeat by France and Underhill detects a desire to atone for a wounding performance endured three months after they were dismantled in the World Cup final by South Africa.

Sam Underhill met the media on Friday (Ian Rutherford/PA)

"For us the pressure is on, which is something you can ignore and try to play down or something you can embrace," the Bath openside said.

"We're incredibly hungry. In terms of last week especially, when you have a disappointing result you want nothing more than another game.

"The fact it happens to be a Calcutta Cup is probably even better for us because there's more pressure and ultimately that's something you need to perform at your best.

"The Calcutta Cup is a pretty big occasion. Every Test is a big occasion, but there's a big rivalry here.

"From a personal point of view, I've got a Scottish grandmother, a Scottish brother in law and one of my other sister's boyfriends is Scottish, so I just turn my phone off before the game!

Underhill (left) and Kyle Sinckler at Friday's captain's run (Ian Rutherford/PA)

"It's good to have bit of an edge to a game. That edge will add to the sense of occasion."

Underhill won the sixth of his 16 caps at Murrayfield two years ago and it was an eye-opening experience as England began a five-Test losing sequence that produced their worst Championship finish since the 1980s.

"I was on the bench, it was one of my first caps and my first experience here at Murrayfield," the 23-year-old said.

"It was probably my first insight into the emotion of the occasion and I was naive to it before.

"We were getting booed off the bus and then the reaction of the Scotland players when they won, seeing the crowd and how much it means to everyone up here.

"It's definitely something to acknowledge and it's definitely there – you can't ignore it – especially when it's as loud as Murrayfield is. But that's to be embraced as a player.

"It's still quite an emotional sport. You need that emotional energy, especially in something like your defence."

Storm Ciara is due to batter the UK this weekend with heavy rain and strong winds forecast to hit Edinburgh at kick-off, but defence coach John Mitchell views the weather event as part of the game.

"We're ready for anything. That's certainly in our preparation," former All Blacks boss Mitchell said.

"I'm not sure who the weather will favour. Certainly both teams will have to adapt to it."

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3Leicester CityLeicester28155854282650
4Chelsea2813694739845
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11Everton28107113742-537
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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool28261164204479
2Manchester CityMan City27183668293957
3Leicester CityLeicester28155854282650
4Chelsea2813694739845
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd28119842301242
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28101264134742
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs28117104639740
8Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd27101072925440
9Burnley28115123339-638
10Arsenal2781363936337
11Everton28107113742-537
12Crystal Palace2899102532-736
13Southampton28104143551-1634
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2888122441-1732
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28610123240-828
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2876153549-1427
17Watford2869132743-1627
18Bournemouth2876152845-1727
19Aston Villa2774163452-1825
20Norwich CityNorwich2856172551-2621
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