Scotland focus on performance rather than outcome against England as they lose world-class centre

The Scots have not beaten their old adversaries for 27 years and their task has been made harder by the absence of centre Emma Orr, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the Six Nations with a leg injury sustained in Saturday’s win over Wales.

Notwithstanding the Orr setback, the 24-19 victory in Cardiff was an encouraging start for Sione Fukofuka in his first game in charge but the new coaching team know that this Saturday’s Murrayfield match is an entirely different prospect.

“They're obviously world champions, they're a great team, we all know that,” said Dave Butcher, the Scotland forwards coach. “We're not really focusing on that. We're going at it more in terms of, ‘where do we need to grow this week?’ Because there were areas that we underperformed, and areas that we thought we were okay in Wales.

Massive room for growth

“It was our first time out, so it's good having a win, and that's a bonus, but I think there's massive room for growth. So the way we've attacked it this week is there are specific areas that we really need to grow in performing. And then the outcome will be the outcome.”

Butcher knows it will take time for the new coaching team to implement their tactical philosophy but he was hugely impressed by the physical effort against Wales which he said was reflected in the high ball-in-play time and the GPS figures.

“It was absolutely immense,” he said. “And for me that's great because it takes time to embed the technical, tactical pieces that we want in there. But if we haven't got a team that has capacity to work, not just the mental side, but the actual physical capacity to work, you're always fighting against how much can you put in and how deep can you go.

“For example, in the 84th minute, when they're running down the wing and you've got Emma Wassell chasing the winger down to tackle her and she's just ran the lineout. She's made, I think it was like, 22 tackles, hit 30 rucks and she's still able to do that.”

Butcher was also heartened by the performances of forward debutants Emily Coubrough, Demi Swann and Holland Bogan.

‘She was broken’

Coubrough, who is still only 19, started at No 8 and was “absolutely outstanding,” said the coach. “She was broken yesterday. Her body was screaming ‘what have you just put me through?’”

Swann, the replacement loosehead prop, impressed Butcher with her intensity and line speed in defence while fellow sub Holland Bogan made a big impact. “She just brings a level of chaos, but it's not chaos for us, it's chaos for them!” said Butcher.

Scotland will name their team to play England on Thursday and face a big decision on who wears 13 in the absence of Orr. “Obviously Emma's not playing this weekend, so massive shoes to fill,” said Butcher. “She's a world-class player.”

Holly McIntyre has been called into the squad but there are other options at centre, including Evie Wills, who started on the bench against Wales, and Shona Campbell, who was on the wing. The latter could move to 13 if, as expected, Fran McGhie returns to the squad after a shoulder injury.