As rhetoric accumulates before the last edition of the oldest International Rugby Party in the world, there is a narrative on the other side of the border that this is a rivalry that matters much more to one side than the other.
The suggestion is that England, as multiple winners of the six nations, is more concerned with winning those who consider their main titles of the titles in a certain year, either France, Ireland or Wales. Scotland, in contrast, wants to defeat England much more than any other person, regardless of what is at stake.
Without a doubt, there is more than a real grain, since given the same logic it could be applied to football and almost any other sport.
The fact that Scotland has defeated England in the last four meetings also adds more weight to the discussion.
Jamie Ritchie, former Scotland captain, does not completely disagree. Motivation will not be scarce when Gregor Towsend takes his team to Twickenham on Saturday, a place where the Scots have not lost since 2017.
Being Auld's enemy to win or retain the Calcutta Cup will always feel special for those involved.
Jamie Ritchie lifts the Calcuta Cup for Scotland on Twickenham in 2023
Jamie Ritchie and Hamish Watson Sam Underhill in Murrayfield in 2020
Ritchie admits that he cannot speak for his English counterparts and how annoying they are, although since the red rose lost this accessory only once between 1991 and 2006, it is fair to assume that they were excited enough to try even a little in a game in a game –Pe, according to reports, have no interest in.
“I can't speak on behalf of English boys, but it certainly means a lot to us,” said the Atarro. 'If it means more or less, I don't know. I guess it's a kind of how you want to motivate yourself.
'We want to beat England as much as we want to beat any other team in the six nations, but this one has a special place in our hearts. Maybe it means more for us. Maybe that is why we have won in recent years.
The story significantly sign the Towsend team, which has never defeated England five times in a row. However, betting runners do not qualify their perspectives, with the local favorite team in the favorites in the back of their victory over France, and the defeat of Scotland against Ireland, the last time.
Ritchie has no problem with that, but insists that Scotland will never go to this party, or any other, hindered by an inferiority complex.
“I think that with most of the six nations games, the favorites will be the local team,” he added. 'They have just left a great victory, we are out of a defeat. Betting runners will make their decisions based on that. But we know the ability we have and know how good we have been against England in the past.
Duhan Van Der Merwe scored a hat-trick of attempts in last year's victory over England
Scotland suffered a 32-18 defeat against Ireland in the second round of the six nations
'We never talk about being losers in the games we are playing in. We try to focus on the things we want to get within the game and how we can impose. So, it is not something we talk about and certainly ever in my mentality.
'It is still everything to play, anything can happen in the rest of the tournament. There are some very high quality teams there that could beat Ireland if they continue to play well.
“All we can do is try to win our next games during the next three weekends of matches and that will put us in the best possible place.”
Ritchie has suffered a tumultuous moment in the international scene in recent years, deposed as captain and inside and outside the team, but Scotland's last visit to Twickenham in 2023 is still a happy memory.
A double by Duhan Van Der Merwe sealed a famous victory, allowing Ritchie to continue and raise the trophy.
“I remember it was a really special moment,” added the 28 -year -old who will change Edinburgh for Perpignan in the summer. 'The game itself was really special to be part. Obviously, there was a bit of bell and frowing and some great moments that make it really memorable.
'Obviously, we had Duhan's attempt and the great team attempt we scored at the end to win it, which was also Duhan. And then defend our line very well at the end of the game when they had the opportunity to win it. So, these are things that made him a really special memory.
“The icing on the top was to lift the Calcuta Cup there, definitely.”