The China Mail - Scotland coach Townsend adamant focus on England rather than his job

The Scots head into the Edinburgh encounter following a dispiriting 18-15 loss to Italy in Rome during their tournament opener last weekend.

A defeat that yet again raised questions about the team's ability to overcome adversity also led to fresh calls for the end of Townsend's nine-year reign as Scotland coach.

Scotland have finished no higher than third in the Six Nations and they also failed to qualify out of the group stage of the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups under Townsend.

But the 52-year-old former Scotland playmaker, who in September was handed a contract extension that taking him through to the 2027 World Cup in Australia, was in defiant mood after naming his side to play England on Thursday.

"The feeling of losing is worse than the distraction around when people are giving their opinions to the group or to me as a coach," Townsend told reporters.

Scotland lost 16-15 at Twickenham last year, having won the previous four encounters with England.

- 'Biggest game of the season' -

Saturday will mark Townsend's 100th match in charge of Scotland as he aims to get the better of England for a sixth time in nine meetings.

"It's our biggest game of the season," said Townsend of the 155-year-old fixture. "It's even more important on the back of a disappointing defeat.

Townsend had made four changes, all to his pack, with Glasgow prop Nathan McBeth chosen for his first Six Nations start.

Jamie Ritchie, Gregor Brown, McBeth and George Turner have replaced back-row Matt Fagerson, second-row Grant Gilchrist, loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman and injured hooker Ewan Ashman respectively.

Townsend, however, has retained the same back division that started against Italy for this weekend's match at Murrayfield.

That means Scotland's top two try-scorers of all time -- wings Duhan van der Merwe and Graham -- as well as British and Irish Lions full-back Kinghorn have all been been left out again.

Van der Merwe scored a hat-trick of tries against England during a 30-21 win when the teams last met at Murrayfield in 2024.

Townsend's selection means there are no Edinburgh players in a Scotland starting side for the first time since 1998, with the capital side a lowly 13th in a United Rugby Championship table led by Glasgow, who've also enjoyed Champions Cup wins over European heavyweights Toulouse and Saracens this season.

England, who named their side on Tuesday, are on a 12-match unbeaten run following a 48-7 thrashing of Wales at Twickenham last weekend.

Scotland (15-1)

Tom Jordan; Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Jamie Dobie; Finn Russell, Ben White; Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge, Jamie Ritchie; Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown; Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Nathan McBeth

Replacements: Dave Cherry, Pierre Schoeman, Elliot Millar Mills, Max Williamson, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Adam Hastings, Darcy Graham

Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)

O.Yip--ThChM