Friday 5 February 2016 09:54, UK
Eddie Jones is adamant his "pumped up" England team can ride the Scottish storm on and off the field as they bid to retain the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield on Saturday.
England's new head coach has gone with experience to try to make his first match in charge since taking over from Stuart Lancaster a successful one.
He has named a starting XV boasting 512 caps for the Six Nations opener, and has also kept faith with deposed captain Chris Robshaw who moves from blindside to openside with James Haskell taking over the No 7 jersey.
Eight of Jones' starting team played in the World Cup defeat to Australia and the 56-year-old admits he has "picked a team to get the job done against Scotland".
That means the uncapped trio of prop Paul Hill, flanker Jack Clifford and centre Ollie Devoto will be itching for their chance on the replacements' bench.
"I've picked the best team for the job," said Jones, who coached his native Australia to the final of the 2003 World Cup and led Japan at last year's tournament.
"I believe they are the best 23. They believe they are the best 23...and now we have to go up there and prove it. They will be pumped up and ready from the start.
"It's a Calcutta Cup match and we know what to expect from Scotland. The forecast is for rain and strong winds off the field and Scotland will try and come at us like a storm from the start. So the team will need to be ready. I believe they will be.
"I can sense the togetherness in the team but we have not been exposed to a Test match yet. Experience will be crucial in winning games like this one. If you look at the past Six Nations champions they all have 500-600 caps. So I took that into account when naming my 23.
"It's not about giving people opportunities. It's about winning Tests. The new guys will be picked when they are ready to play Test rugby. The likes of Maro Itoje, Elliot Daly and others will get their chance."
Jones is certainly keen to improve England's poor recent tally of Six Nations' championships - their last success in 2011 was their first since 2003.
He said: "It would be nice to end that run but we are not looking too far ahead. There's no pressure. Pressure is just for the team to play well. We have prepared well and if we're good enough we will win it. If not we won't.
"The Six Nations is the greatest in the world because every game means so much. It means so much to the fans and different nations.
"If you don't get nervous you are not human. Every time you go to bed at night you check your phone hoping that something hasn't happened. You do the same in the morning. I don't sit there biting my nails or thinking what should we do. But it is a good nervousness."
