'We're prepared for all they can throw at us'

Earl insists that England will cope with a hostile Murrayfield

ENGLAND are confident they can cope with Scotland’s wind-up antics in Saturday’s grudge Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield.

Steve Borthwick’s side are aiming to avoid a record-equalling fourth straight loss to Scotland — and No8 Ben Earl believes they are ready for a hostile Edinburgh atmosphere.

England have beaten Scotland only once in their past six meetings, with a reversal of traditional fortunes now dating back to a heated 2018 tussle at Murrayfield.

Scotland won 25-13 to kick-start their recent supremacy, in a contest dominated by clashes in the tunnel between Ryan Wilson and England duo George Ford and Owen Farrell.

England were rattled by those confrontations, slipping to a frustrating defeat, but Saracens star Earl believes boss Borthwick’s new regime is already instilling the kind of mental fortitude to handle such tactics.