Victory over France felt like a turning point for England, but Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with Scotland will tell us whether or not it was a false dawn.
After a poor run of form, England clicked into gear against Les Bleus and bucked their trend of losing tight games by claiming a thrilling last-gasp 26-25 win.
The jubilant scenes at Twickenham after the full-time whistle, both in the stands and on the pitch, underlined how much of a vital result it was for Steve Borthwick’s side - but now they must build on it.
Beating a France team led by the supremely talented Antoine Dupont is impressive, however England need to use it as a springboard, both in this Six Nations and for Borthwick’s reign as a whole.
Scotland, however, represent another tough test and they head to Twickenham looking to make history.
Gregor Townsend’s side have won all of the last four meetings and Saturday gives them the chance to set a new record. Scotland have never lifted the Calcutta Cup five times in a row.
Townsend boasts an impressive record against England and has lost just one of seven matches against them. He has never tasted defeat at Twickenham, claiming back-to-back wins there after the thrilling 38-38 draw six years ago.
Keeping Finn Russell quiet is key for England, just as stifling Antoine Dupont was a fortnight ago
“Playing at Twickenham is always one of our hardest games and in recent years we’ve got on the right side of the result,” said Townsend.
“But they’ve been very close games and we’ve had to play very, very well to get those wins. So we know that’s what we’ll have to do on Saturday.
“I know the passion will be there, the passion will be there to play for your team-mates, to play for your country, to show an improved performance from the last game, but we have to be calm amongst the chaos, which there will be at times.”
Scotland have been boosted by Finn Russell being fit to start. The fly-half was forced off in the first half of the defeat by Ireland after a nasty clash of heads with Darcy Graham, who has not made the squad.
Russell has proved England’s Kryptonite over the years and Scotland have never lost the Calcutta Cup when he has been at fly-half and Townsend has been their head coach.
Keeping Russell quiet is key for England, just as stifling Dupont was a fortnight ago. The two playmakers are the heartbeats of their respective sides and, if they can dictate a game, it usually only goes their way.
England will have confidence in their own playmakers, though. Fin Smith has got the nod again at fly-half after an impressive first start against France.
Marcus Smith, who had a mixed afternoon, continues at full-back as Borthwick carries on with the plan of having two playmakers on the pitch.
It showed signs of promise against France and Saturday is another opportunity to see how the Smith double act could work going forward.
“With Fin Smith and Marcus Smith, we have two ball players, two people who see space in the front-line and in the back-field, and that’s going to be very important this weekend,” said Borthwick.
“Marcus is a player with incredible ability. Sometimes, the opposition focuses very much on him. Sometimes, that creates space for others. Sometimes, there will be a window for him to find. Marcus is a game-changer.”
