Andy Robinson did everyone a favour when he became Scotland's head coach. Rare is the Calcutta Cup build-up uncluttered by national stereotypes or fiery rhetoric, all based on the assumption little has changed since Culloden. Robinson is as English as they come and is not a noted social historian. It is the immediate future which absorbs both teams before this evening's 127th edition of international sport's oldest local derby, not the murky past.
Robinson's motivation has nothing to do with cross-border antagonism. He would like to settle a few scores with his former employers and media antagonists, particularly as these sides will be in the same pool in next year's World Cup. The England team manager, Martin Johnson, scarcely needed reminding by Lawrence Dallaglio yesterday that this is a "must win" game. "If we had to win 9-6 we'd take it," said Johnson. He has yet to lose to the Scots in 10 games as player and manager.
It is significant that England broke with custom by delaying their arrival north of the border until barely 24 hours before kick-off. The squad have expressed a preference for short, sharp away trips. The risk is that younger players, plunged into a cauldron of Caledonian antipathy, will struggle to cope. The Scots may detect a whiff of apprehension.
"Like any argument there are two sides to it," said Johnson of his travel arrangements. "We thought we'd give it a try. Whether Scotland is more volatile than Wales, Ireland or France I don't know. Trying to silence hostile crowds is what Test rugby away from home is about. I'd much rather play in a hostile than a quiet environment."
This match will feature two sides gripped by a fear of failure. The outcome will define their seasons. Scotland have yet to win in this season's championship and know close shaves cannot sustain them. England are perched atop a slippery slope. The gradual improvement they talk of must be translated into concrete deeds against a Scottish team which, for all its back-row gusto and front-five solidity, has become adept at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
For England, a test of character beckons. Perhaps most crucially of all, the management are seeking an instant response to the defeat by Ireland at Twickenham. "The guys' mindset has got to be right," said Johnson. "You want them to think: 'Right, sitting in a losing dressing room after a Test match is not what we do this for.' It'll be a tough Saturday evening if we lose."
It will help if certain players validate the management's faith and hoist the team out of its rut. "The easy thing is to chop and change," said Johnson, dismissing accusations of conservative selection and calling for England to uncork their festering disappointment. "A lot of rugby is about energy, urgency, passion and emotion. We can't come second in that area."
If Johnson really wants to crank things up, he need only read aloud a few extracts from The Grudge, a quite outstanding new book by Tom English about the epic 1990 grand slam showdown. There was nothing remotely phoney about the antagonism between Scotland and England then – in Will Carling, Brian Moore and Margaret Thatcher the Scots had some choice pantomime villains. When a Scot, Tom McNab, became England's fitness advisor, he could hardly believe Moore was for real. "He was the only man I'd ever met who had clenched hair." It is a priceless read.
On their past two visits to Murrayfield England have failed to score a try, never mind win. Scotland, as they showed in the first half against Wales, are better than they appeared in Italy and Robinson will be keen to be seen to outsmart his opposite number. While Johnson is having none of it – "It's not about me and Andy Robinson, it's England versus Scotland" – "Robbo the Bruce" headlines will be irresistible if the visitors lose. England to win, but only by a whisker.
