'England a different side to one beaten by Scots'

Steve Borthwick's first game in charge of England was against Scotland on the opening day of the 2023 Six Nations

Guinness Men's Six Nations: England v Scotland

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Date: Saturday, 22 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Sounds, live text and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on ITV1

Head coach Steve Borthwick says England are a "very different" side to the one which was beaten by Scotland in last year's Calcutta Cup meeting.

Scotland claimed their fourth consecutive win over England with a 30-21 victory at Murrayfield in the 2024 Six Nations, but Borthwick says his class of 2025 are "not looking to the past" as they prepare to welcome their northerly neighbours to Allianz Stadium.

Only seven starters from the defeat in Edinburgh have retained their place in England's XV 12 months on.

Both sides have won one game and lost to Ireland in this year's Six Nations but defeat is likely to curtail their chances of competing for the title.

"As part of the preparation of any game, I always look back at the most recent matches against the opponent," Borthwick told BBC Rugby Union Weekly.

"What we also have to acknowledge is this [England] team is a very different team to the one that played last year.

"Danny Care started at scrum-half last year and he has retired from Test duty so you have to be conscious of drawing parallels.

"In comparison to previous England teams, the strengths of this one are wider than they used to be.

"There are different distribution strengths and there is an athleticism to this team which is different to 12 months ago.

"We are not looking at the past and the focus is on this weekend. The atmosphere is going to be phenomenal and I think it will be a brilliant Test match."

Murrayfield a 'turning point' for England

England's most recent defeat by Scotland was the catalyst for a change in both mindset and style.

Borthwick's side followed it up with a last-gasp victory at a partisan Allianz Stadium to deny Ireland the chance of winning consecutive Grand Slams.

England then endured a difficult run of seven defeats against Tier One nations, albeit by slim margins. Borthwick will be hoping their thrilling late win over a wasteful France earlier this month will have stopped the rot.

Ollie Chessum's reintroduction to the starting XV is the only change to the team from the victory over Les Bleus and the lock says meeting Scotland next is the perfect test of how far England have come.

"Steve [Borthwick] mentioned we didn't hit hard enough or play aggressive enough at Murrayfield [last year]," Chessum told BBC Rugby Union Weekly.

"As a group we feel like that game last year was a real turning point for us and how we want to be as a team.

"So this week is the real test for us to see if we have actually turned that corner."

Borthwick, who took charge of England before the 2023 Six Nations, echoed Chessum's sentiment and says the timing of their latest meeting with the Scots could help his side reach their attacking potential.

"We always want to put performances on the pitch," Borthwick added.

"I came in just before a World Cup and trying to put an attack together and build quickly is very challenging to do at that point.

"But right now is when we build the attack.

"It fits the timeline and the type of players we have. I want the players to play brave, aggressive and fast.

"The way Scotland try and slow the ball down is high and they will want to stop us."