We did it with no fans there - now it's..FULL ON

RICHIE GRAY insists the ghostly atmosphere of an empty Twickenham did nothing to diminish one of his greatest achievements in a Scotland shirt. 

- GORDON PARKS

But the Glasgow Warrior believes being part of the Calcutta Cup class of 2021, which delivered a first win over England in London for 38 years, would be eclipsed if they can repeat the feat in front of 80,000 fans this weekend.

Covid restrictions ensured there was barely a soul inside the home of rugby for a historic Six Nations opener two years ago when Gregor Townsend’s side were dominant in an 11-6 success.

Gray laid down the gauntlet for his team-mates to emulate that performance on Saturday inside a stadium where there’s not a seat to be had.

He said: “That’s the challenge to do it when there are 80,000 getting behind their team. How do we react under that pressure? But I certainly believe we can.

“That’s a big thing. In 2021 we won down there, albeit in very different circumstances with no crowd. But we take belief from that.

“Recent results against England have been favourable but we’re under no illusions as to how big the challenge is.