Ford determined to help England make a fast start

England flyhalf George Ford says that he is determined to ensure that they do not make a slow start and go straight into top gear in this weekend’s Six Nations Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland.

England have earned a reputation for making slow starts but finishing matches strongly and it went some way to costing them the match against Ireland.

Bath flyhalf Ford says that he and his team mates need to quickly move on from the loss to Ireland by keeping Scotland winless this weekend at Twickenham.

These occasions are always bursting with emotion, pride and determination to claim bragging rights as the two auld sporting enemies prepare to do Six Nations battle.

England will be firm favourites to get back to winning ways and keep alive their outside hopes of lifting the title as they come across a Scotland side which has lost its’ first three games, including one against Italy.

But Ford is also wary of Stuart Lancaster’s team needing to shrug off their bad habit of allowing the opposition the first-half advantage – something they were unable to peg back in Dublin as Ireland ran out 19-9 winners.

Ford insists: “It is a disappointing not to have things out of our hands now in terms of having to rely on other countries to help us out after what happened in Dublin.

“We just did not perform in the first-half and even when we had the chances to claw our way back into the match we did not take them. Ireland did well and did a job on us. But we were also our own worst enemy in making too many mistakes.

“We have to cut out any mistakes against Scotland and make sure we are as well-prepared for their visit as we can be. Games between the two nations are always special and always have a great atmosphere.

“They will be determined to get a win under their belts, but all the guys were frustrated after Ireland, and we are determined to put things right at Twickenham.

“We’ve got two final games at home and we must make that advantage pay. If we can win on Saturday and Wales beat Ireland the title would certainly be wide open again.

England have Harlequins full-back Mike Brown, who missed the Dublin clash due to the concussion sustained against Italy, back in their side while Northampton lock Courtney Lawes also regains his place in the second row.

Leicester Tigers second row Geoff Parling and Northampton Saints back row Tom Wood are among the replacements for a Calcutta Cup clash which sees the visitors determined to prove they are far better than their disappointing results to date.

Scotland may have scored just 13 points fewer than the opposition so far but they have lost all three games with the latest a morale damaging 22-19 home loss to the Italians.

New Zealand-born head coach Vern Cotter ensured his players knew only too well what he felt of the poor performance and has demanded “a massive response” against England.

Cotter has made five changes to his starting line-up with Edinburgh No8 David Denton being one of the players recalled, along with fly-half Finn Russell, centre Matt Scott, right wing Dougie Fife and lock Jim Hamilton.

Hooker Ross Ford insists the hurt felt losing to Italy means the visitors will arrive at Twickenham with a major point to prove.

He insists: “Beating England would be the best way to get over the hurt we felt after Italy. We have a Calcutta Cup to play for and that means a lot to the guys despite where we are in the Championship.”