Leaders Wales' vastly-superior points difference - they are currently more than 50 points better off than England - means Brian Ashton's men have really got to run riot.

They've won 16 of their last 18 Tests against Scotland, but they did come unstuck at Murrayfield at 2000 and 2006, while the Scots are hurting following three successive defeats during this season's tournament, scoring just one try in the process.

The odds heavily favour England, who won in Rome and Paris last month, but their preparation suffered a blow when Ashton decided to drop Danny Cipriani from the starting line-up.

The Wasps star was poised to make his first international start but previously axed Iain Balshaw replaced him at full-back following what the Rugby Football Union termed “inappropriate behaviour” on Wednesday night.

The 20-year-old is seen as heir apparent to fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who needs just one point to beat Welshman Neil Jenkins' world Test record of 1090, but he will make his first England start in the number 15 shirt.

Scotland will be tough nuts to crack up-front, and the return of number eight Simon Taylor should provide an added dimension.

England need to show the same discipline and tactical control they produced in beating France last time out, and if that happens, then Scotland could struggle to hold them behind the scrum.