Scotland take on Wales at Murrayfield in the unusual position of favourites – they need to embrace those expectations
The last time Scotland defeated England, they stalled. The only two victories in their next nine Six Nations matches from 2018 were against Italy as the light of the approaching dawn turned out to be a candle in the wind. It has tended to be that way this century: between their 2006 and 2008 victories over the auld enemy at Murrayfield, they lost eight games out of 10 and overcame only Italy in their next 10.
As Scotland this weekend try on the mantle of firm favourites for the visit of Wales to Murrayfield, why should last week’s first triumph at Twickenham for 38 years be any different? One reason is that it was not built on raw emotion as one-off victories often are: think Wales in 1989, 1993 and 2007 against England.
