What is the History of The Calcutta Cup?: Scotland v England

Last updated: 26/01/25 at 5:00 pm

As Scotland prepares to take on England at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield in the Six Nations 2024, we look into the deep-rooted rivalry between two national rugby teams.

The Calcutta Cup, initially contested in 1871 between England and Scotland, stands as a historic rugby tradition, having witnessed 136 encounters to date.

England emerged victorious 85 times, while Scotland claimed 47 wins, with 16 matches ending in draws. As one of the oldest fixtures in global sports, this annual clash takes place during the Six Nations.

As we approach the Guinness Six Nations 2024, we uncover the history of the Calcutta Cup and the infamous rugby rivalry between Soctland and England. Join us as we discuss the stories and highlights that have shaped this legendary sporting rivalry.

Why is England v Scotland called the Calcutta Cup?

On Christmas Day 1872, a game of rugby football, between 20 players representing England on one side and 20 representing Scotland on the other, was played in Calcutta.

Due to its success, the match was repeated a week later. These lovers of rugby wanted to form a club in the area and the aforementioned matches were the agents which led to the formation of the Calcutta Football Club in January 1873 (source: Wikipedia).

In an article titled, 'The History of the Calcutta Cup', the Scottish Rugby Union states: 'The Calcutta Cup was given to the English Rugby Football Union by the Calcutta Rugby Club in India. The club was formed by soldiers and expats in 1872 and became affiliated with the Rugby Football Union in 1874. The majority of members were soldiers from the Royal East Kent Regiment 1st Battalion stationed in Bengal.

After around three years, the soldiers started to leave Bengal and the club folded. They took whatever money was left in silver rupees, 270 rupees to be exact, and gave it to a local Indian silversmith to make them a trophy. The coins were melted down and formed into the cup of silver you know today as the Calcutta Cup.'

The history of Scotland v England matches

The 1938 Calcutta Cup match was the first live-televised rugby international broadcast by the BBC. Over the years, these matches have seen some of the most iconic performances in rugby, such as Jonny Wilkinson’s epic 2007 Six Nations performance where he scored 27 points in one match. Other legendary players associated with the fixture include Martin Johnson, Gregor Townsend, Gavin Hastings and Jason Leonard.

In what is always a hotly contested and tight fixture, the last three matches between the two old foes have been historic for different reasons. In the 2017 Six Nations, England beat Scotland 61-21 at Twickenham Stadium. As a result, England registered their highest-ever points total against Scotland and their largest margin of victory.

In 2018 Scotland got their own back at BT Murrayfield winning 25-13. This was thanks to a masterclass from Finn Russell, which meant the Calcutta Cup was brought home to Scotland for the first time in 10 years. However, it's the 2019 Guinness Six Nations fixture that will go down as the greatest England v Scotland fixture of all time.

With the England Rugby team leading 31-7 at half-time at Twickenham, no one expected Scotland to come out and get a result. Thanks to some sublime attacking rugby, Scotland led 38-31 with 5 minutes to go before George Ford managed to get over the line to spare England’s blushes. Since it was a draw - and with Scotland winning the previous year -  the Calcutta Cup was retained by the Scots.

What can we expect from the Scotland vs England Six Nations 2024 fixture?

The match will be played at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, the home of Scottish rugby, on Saturday 24th February 2024.

Scotland will be hoping to bring the Cup home once again, making it a quadruple of victories after beating England in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Scotland v England hospitality at Scottish Gas Murrayfield

With a premium matchday hospitality package to Scotland vs England at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, you'll have an unrivalled view of the pitch, so you can watch the old rivals battle it out for the Calcutta Cup from the best seats in the stadium.

The Village

Pre and post-match hospitality at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield stadium includes a range of luxury experiences. This luxury marquee hospitality is conveniently located within the stadium grounds, allowing you to be at the heart of the action. With a gold match day ticket situated in the North-West stand, you'll have a fantastic view of the pitch. As part of the package, you'll also receive a welcome drink of champagne, Gin and Tonic, or a bottle of beer.

Before the match, you'll be treated to a three-course, pre-match, fine-dining meal. The experienced sommelier will carefully select fine wines to complement your meal, ensuring a memorable culinary experience. Additionally, a fully inclusive bar will be available pre and post-match, with dedicated drinks hosts to cater to your needs.

After the excitement of the game, you'll have access to the hospitality area for one hour, where you can enjoy fantastic live band entertainment. To make the experience seamless, we provide dedicated turnstiles for easy entry.

Thistle Suite

With our platinum match ticket, you'll have the ultimate viewing experience from the upper west stand, offering a fantastic view of the pitch. As soon as you arrive, you'll be greeted with a welcome drink of champagne, gin and tonic, or a bottle of beer.

To satisfy your culinary desires, the Executive Head Chef has created a sumptuous three-course meal. Indulge in a fine dining experience that will leave your taste buds satisfied. The sommelier will carefully select fine wines to accompany your meal, adding to the overall dining experience.

Before and after the match, you'll have access to a fully inclusive bar, where dedicated drinks hosts will be there to cater to your preferences. They will ensure that your pre and post-match drinks are served promptly and to your satisfaction. After the match, you’ll have access for an additional hour to the hospitality suite, where you can enjoy a hearty supper.

If you're thinking about heading to the match, check out our fantastic Scotland vs England hospitality packages for the Six Nations 2024.