WE’RE TITLE-CHASERS NOT PARTY-POOPERS

Forget about halting England run... Scots’ motivation is Triple Crown

ENGLAND were warned last night that Scotland are heading to Twickenham on Six Nations title business – not purely to spoil a party.

Without an away win over the auld enemy since 1983, the Scots are seen by many as just a speed bump between Eddie Jones’ team and a world record-equalling 18th straight scalp.

But tartan greats Scott Hastings and Bryan Redpath (both below) told Mirror Sport that the England team

underestimate Vern Cotter’s side at their peril. And fellow Scot Alan Tait claimed the chance to deny England a share of the record would provide a “massive incentive” for his countrymen.

But Hastings said: “No, no, no. It’s nothing to do with what the opposition can achieve. It’s all about Scotland and what they can do. I believe that.

“This team realises that if they beat England they have the championship to play for at home to Italy on Saturday week. They would be in with a big chance.”

Ex-Scotland captain Redpath agreed, saying: “The Scottish team will be purely focused on trying to win the game.

“They won’t be thinking that victory would give them a first Triple Crown since 1990, nor what a win could do for individuals’ Lions prospects.

“And I can’t see a prime motivation being to deny England. That’s not Vern’s style.

He knocked that way of thinking on the head a few years ago.

“I remember him saying, ‘We are not consistent. We have to stop thinking beating England in a one-off game is enough to make a season. It’s not’.

“He’s moved Scotland away from that sort of stuff. He’s made them consistent and England will know if they don’t perform well they could lose this game. “But England are a bloody good side. Seeing them frustrated by Italy was probably the worst thing that could have happened to Scotland.”

Well, that and Billy Vunipola’s return. The big No.8 came through his fitness test for Saracens at Newcastle and scrum coach Neal Hatley confirmed yesterday he will be back in the squad.

“He has done enough to prove he should be involved,” said Hatley.

Vunipola has been a big cog in England’s winning machine, as has prop Dan Cole – the only player to start all 17 victories.

“It’s nice to play for England any time,” said Leicester star Cole. “And it’s good to play consecutive games off the back of what we came from.”

He means the 2015 World Cup which, happily for England, seems a lifetime ago.