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The pass of three for Scotland?
Winner of England in 2021 (11-6) then in 2022 (20-17), the XV du Thistle is aiming for a third consecutive success against the hated neighbor.
It hasn't happened since four straight wins between 1970 and 1972.
Almost fifty years later, Finn Russell's teammates can do a double blow: spoil Steve Borthwick's premiere and plunge the XV de la Rose even further into doubt.
"It's the most important match of the Tournament," said Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.
Because the English do not lead wide after a catastrophic year 2022.
Borthwick left Leicester to raise the bar by building on what he instilled in the Tigers and returning to simpler things.
Enough to stop long-toothed Scots?
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Gatland as a saviour?
Surprised by Georgia (13-12) and Italy (22-21), rolled by the All Blacks (55-23) and South Africa (30-14), Wales is at the bottom of the bucket.
To get him out, the Federation turned to New Zealander Warren Gatland, but the man with four victories in the Six Nations Tournament has his work cut out for him.
Especially since the preparations have been disrupted by problems off the field: the WRU is undermined by accusations of sexism, racism and homophobia which have prompted its general manager to resign.
This week, a controversy around a song of supporters, which evoked a feminicide, swelled.
Warren Gatland on October 20, 2019 in Oita, Japan © CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/Archives
Not really the best way to launch the Six Nations Tournament, especially since the Leek XV faces Ireland, the first nation in the world which has just crunched the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Good news for Welsh supporters: the men in green have not won in Cardiff since August 2019 and a 22-17 success.
© 2023 AFP