Robshaw: Dirty tricks won’t rattle us this time

ENGLAND have warned Scotland they will be ready for the usual dirty tricks before today’s clash. Eddie Jones’s men believe they have the mental resolve to cope with the demands and challenges, even if they encounter ‘sideshows’ along the way. These have been a feature of recent visits to Edinburgh, but former captain Chris Robshaw (below) insisted he and his team-mates will not be unsettled. England have had delayed arrivals at Murrayfield due to bagpipers slowing down their team coach. They have had their warmups disrupted by on-field entertainers and their hot water turned off. Robshaw said: ‘We’ve all experienced things — tricks and sideshows, trying to put you off your game. Turn all the lights off, whatever it is. ‘It’s little things that are trying to put you off, but you’ve prepared for these things.’ Recalling past arrivals at the stadium, Robshaw said: ‘About 50 bagpipers came out — they pretty much crawled out in front of us. It delayed us a bit but we’d spoken about it. You play these mind games. It’s a bit of fun.’ Asked if England will handle such antics this year, Robshaw added: ‘I’d like to think so. We’ve got a mature group of guys who have been through a lot.’ Meanwhile, England forwards coach Steve Borthwick was adamant yesterday that the squad would be gracious in the event of victory, saying: ‘We always respect the game and respect our opponents.’ Ten years ago, Borthwick was captain when England lost at Murrayfield and was upset by the home side’s celebrations. ‘They were rubbing it in that they had beaten England,’ he said the following year. ‘They made no attempt to disguise their delight. I will not forget what happened.’