In a major decision ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash, England's head coach Steve Borthwick has dropped Marcus Smith from the match-day squad entirely. Smith, previously a bench player in England's opening win against Wales, has been replaced by Fin Smith, who will take his place among the reserves. This change comes as part of Borthwick's strategy to optimize the team lineup following a dominant 48-7 victory against Wales, showing that only selected changes were made to what worked well previously.

Maro Itoje, who has been away from the starting lineup due to personal circumstances, returns to lead the team as captain after a significant hiatus. The England skipper had previously missed a game due to a personal tragedy, ending a streak of 30 consecutive starts in the Six Nations. His reintroduction signifies not only a return of leadership but also a thrust to strengthen the squad's dynamic as they face their fierce rivals, Scotland, in the highly anticipated match at Murrayfield.

Additionally, hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie joins the starting lineup, with Jamie George moving to the bench to provide seasoned experience in the reserves. Borthwick's choices emphasize a balance between maintaining core team members while strategically integrating others to enhance game strategy, hinting at a deep understanding of the rivalry and significance of the upcoming fixture against Scotland.