Six Nations 2026: Desperate team v aggressors - Captains Sione Tuipulotu, Maro Itoje rally troops ahead of Calcutta Cup showdown

React to this story

Sione Tuipulotu roused his Scotland troops before facing England in a significant Six Nations clash at Murrayfield this weekend, as the skipper aims to lead his side to a famous victory against their fiercest rivals. Plenty of questions have been asked of Gregor Townsend's side in recent months, but Tuipulotu highlighted this match as an ideal opportunity to bounce back from a defeat to Italy.

No Filter: Behind the scenes of England's HISTORIC comeback against the All Blacks

Video credit: TNT Sports

Sione Tuipulotu believes Scotland have become a "desperate team" heading into their Six Nations clash against England at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The Scotland captain pulled no punches regarding the state of play within the camp after being on the receiving end of an 18-15 defeat to Italy in their opening game last Saturday.

That result heaped even more pressure on head coach Gregor Townsend, following damaging defeats in the Quilter Autumn Nations Series matches against New Zealand and Argentina in November.

Nations Championship

Borthwick hits out at ‘negativity committee' amid warning over discipline

19/07/2026 at 13:21

Tuipulotu used his pre-match press conference as an opportunity to issue a rallying cry to the nation before a mouth-watering Calcutta Cup clash against their southern neighbours.

He said: "We're playing for our championship on Saturday, there's no doubt about that.

"You can't lose two games in a Six Nations and expect to be in contention at the back end. So, yeah, we're a desperate team at the moment and I want to see that desperation in the players.

"Definitely on their run of form, they deserve to come in really confident, but Calcutta Cup matches are often a little bit different and it doesn't really matter what form any team are coming with.

"It's kind of like a derby match when you're playing club footy. You wonder why those games are so tight if you look at the form coming into them and it's because there's a lot on the line.

"I'm expecting to see an emotional England team and I'm also expecting to see an emotional Scotland team.

"I kind of feel lucky that it is a Calcutta Cup match because we won't lack any motivation and neither will they. And it makes for a great game."

Itoje wants England to be the "aggressors"

England captain Maro Itoje has set his stall out before the match and is eager to regain the bragging rights in this fixture.

A victory at Murrayfield for the first time in six years would accelerate the feel-good factor within the camp following the convincing opening-weekend win against Wales, and Itoje wants the Red Roses to dictate proceedings in Edinburgh.

He said: "I want us to be aggressive, accurate, play with confidence. Saturday is going to be a very physical game.

"Every time we play them and every time we play them up here, it's always a physical game. I just want us to be confident; I want us to be the aggressors and take pride in how we play."

Borthwick hails 'special rivalries' at 2026 men's Six Nations launch

Video credit: SNTV

England are chasing down a first Six Nations title since 2020 and Itoje believes that a victory here could serve as pivotal moment in this squad's journey towards potentially achieving something special.

"These games, all the games through the Six Nations, but this game in particular is extremely important, because they all build towards your experiences," he added.

"They all become reference points for the team, and you can - and this is win or lose - learn, and you have that experience and you can refer back to that experience.

"Obviously, we're going to go out there on Saturday to win, and I believe this team is capable of winning, but it's a really important part of our journey."

Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+

Nations Championship