The oldest rivalry in international rugby returns as Scotland hosts England in a pivotal Round 2 encounter of the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations. With a 100th-cap milestone for Gregor Townsend and England’s 12-match winning streak on the line, this Valentine’s Day showdown is the hottest ticket in sports. The atmosphere in Edinburgh is electric, as Scotland looks to secure their third consecutive home win against England—a feat not achieved since the 1970s.
Conversely, Steve Borthwick’s England side enters the fray with supreme confidence following a dominant 48–7 victory over Wales. Led by the returning captain Maro Itoje, England aims to preserve their 12-match winning streak and solidify their position at the top of the table. With Scotland’s Finn Russell and England’s hat-trick hero Henry Arundell set to ignite the backlines, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:40 PM GMT (11:40 AM ET).
Match Details at a Glance
- Event: Scotland vs England (The Calcutta Cup)
- Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 4:40 PM GMT / 11:40 AM ET / 8:40 AM PT
- Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
- Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
How to Watch Scotland vs England Without Cable
Rugby fans have more streaming options than ever in 2026. Whether you’re a cord-cutter or traveling abroad, here is how to secure a high-quality live stream.
1. United Kingdom (Free Stream)
In the UK, the match is broadcast live on ITV1.
- Platform: ITVX
- Cost: Free (requires a UK TV license).
- Why use it: Full HD coverage and expert analysis from the likes of Jonny Wilkinson and Brian O’Driscoll.
2. United States
NBC Sports remains the exclusive home of the Six Nations in America.
- Platform: Peacock
- Cost: $10.99/month.
- Pro Tip: Every match of the 2026 tournament is available live and on-demand on Peacock.
3. Ireland (Free Stream)
- Platform: Virgin Media Play (Virgin Media One on TV).
- Cost: Free.
4. Australia & Canada
- Australia: Stan Sport is the go-to for rugby fans Down Under.
- Canada: DAZN holds the exclusive rights for the 2026 season.
Watching from Anywhere with a VPN
If you are outside your home country and find your streaming service geo-blocked, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the solution.
- Sign up for a premium VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
- Connect to a server in the UK (for ITVX) or the USA (for Peacock).
- Log in to your streaming app and enjoy the match as if you were on your home sofa.
The 2026 Calcutta Cup: Match Preview
Scotland’s Centennial Celebration
This match marks a historic milestone for Gregor Townsend, who today becomes the second coach in Six Nations history to reach 100 Test matches. However, his squad is reeling from a shock 18–15 opening-round loss to Italy. Scotland must win today to keep their title hopes alive and maintain their “bogey team” status against the English.+1
England’s Winning Machine
Steve Borthwick’s England side is the most dominant force in world rugby right now, currently on a 12-match winning streak. After dismantling Wales 48–7 last week, England looks unstoppable. With captain Maro Itoje returning to the starting lineup and Henry Arundell in hat-trick form, the visitors are heavy favorites.+1
Key Player Matchups
- Finn Russell vs. George Ford: The battle of the tactical maestros. Russell’s flair against Ford’s clinical execution will decide the tempo of the game.
- Duhan van der Merwe vs. Henry Arundell: A clash of power vs. pace. Van der Merwe has a legendary record against England, but Arundell is the tournament’s leading try-scorer.
Official Starting Lineups
| Position | Scotland | England |
| Fullback | Tom Jordan | Freddie Steward |
| Fly-half | Finn Russell | George Ford |
| Captain | Sione Tuipulotu | Maro Itoje |
| No. 8 | Jack Dempsey | Ben Earl |
Historical Stats: Did You Know?
- Scotland has won three of the last four home games against England at Murrayfield.
- Duhan van der Merwe has scored seven tries in five Six Nations appearances against England.
- England recorded a tournament-high 73% gainline success in Round 1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What time does Scotland vs England start?
The match kicks off at 4:40 PM GMT (local time) on February 14, 2026.
Where can I watch the Calcutta Cup for free?
In the UK, you can stream the match for free on ITVX. In Ireland, it is free on Virgin Media Play.
Who won the last Scotland vs England match?
England won a tight 16–15 encounter at Twickenham in 2025, but Scotland won the previous meeting at Murrayfield.
Is Marcus Smith playing?
No, Marcus Smith is currently among the replacements, with George Ford starting at fly-half for England.
