England vs. Scotland: 5 Key Battles That Will Shape 2015 Six Nations Clash

The Calcutta Cup will be contested at Twickenham this Saturday as England and Scotland revive their heated rivalry with far more than mere bragging rights on the line.

Both teams are hoping to bounce back following defeats in Week 3. England saw their Grand Slam hopes crumble at Irish hands, while the Scots suffered a damaging defeat at home to Italy.

Vern Cotter's side will have a nothing-to-lose mentality as they make the trip to London, but Stuart Lancaster will hope his star-studded cast possess the means to claim a sixth-successive Calcutta Cup.

Read on for a discussion of the key battles most likely to dictate who takes home this year's crown.

1. Mike Brown vs. Stuart Hogg

Full-back Mike Brown returns to Stuart Lancaster's lineup this Saturday as one of several welcome additions, facing what promises to be a magnificent tactical head-to-head with Scotland's Stuart Hogg.

Even in the midst of their darkest moments, Hogg has remained one of the Scots' brightest players, showing in defeats to Italy, Wales and France just what a spark he gives to Cotter's back-line ranks.

Alex Goode did an admirable job of filling in at full-back against Ireland, but one can't help but feel Brown may have given England that added sense of security when fielding kick pressure from Jonathan Sexton.

As a result, the Quins star's return is a tremendous boost for Lancaster, especially with Hogg's dexterous pair of feet bringing their own potential to unlock England's borders.

Brown's defensive nous will be put to the test at Twickenham, but he'll also be looking to impress with ball in hand, having scored in the 20-0 win at Murrayfield last year.

2. James Haskell vs. Rob Harley

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Rob Harley is emerging alongside Johnnie Beattie and Blair Cowan as part of Cotter's Scotland back row of choice, but this weekend's trip to London will be his first experience playing at Twickenham.

He's in for a scrap against another man who is making new waves in his own international camp, as confidence continues to grow in the strength that James Haskell brings to the England XV.

In the wake of a hugely disappointing home defeat to Italy in Week 3, Harley spoke to BBC Sport's Tom English of Scotland's mindset heading into their encounter with England:

"

England are an excellent side, but we don't fear them any more than any other team. Fear focuses you anyway. It hammers home the importance of these games.

Fear and nervousness tend to be things I feel beforehand, in the lead-up to a game, but when you get out there then all that goes away and you're in the moment. It's just a fear of losing, a fear of not playing well and letting the team down. It helps. It drives you on.

"

That motivation will be a strong asset to the Scots, but Haskell has proved to be an independently driven force, with a huge locker of physical attributes to go along with that mental fortitude.

Keeping the penalty count as low as possible and limiting England's kicking opportunities on Saturday will be key to any Scotland success at Twickenham, where Harley's ability to defend and win grounded balls will be under the spotlight.

3. Luther Burrell vs. Alex Dunbar

Jonathan Joseph is the England centre who is grabbing all the headlines at this year's Six Nations, but it's Luther Burrell's faceoff against Alex Dunbar that could have a more telling impact on Saturday's tie.

The latter's battle against Jamie Roberts several weeks ago was a shattering duel of two superbly physical athletes, but Burrell's playmaking presence will provide Dunbar with a different kind of test.

Closing down the Saints star early and limiting the space both he and Joseph are allowed to operate in will be a crucial part of Scotland's game plan, as will ensuring the Scotland midfield bring a threat of their own to Twickenham.

Outside centre Mark Bennett has shown his line-breaking exploits in snippets thus far in the tournament, but Dunbar will be hoping to unleash his partner with more freedom on Saturday, needing to first open up the platform for him to do so.

Joseph is swiftly cementing his place as one of Lancaster's centres of choice, but Burrell's spot isn't quite as assured. Glasgow Warriors favourite Dunbar will be hoping to expose his flaws in London.

4. Courtney Lawes vs. Jonny Gray

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Another player England will be pleased to see back among their starting XV this weekend is Courtney Lawes, who has shrugged off the last of his injury concerns to make it back in time for Week 4.

Just as he gives Lancaster an encouraging option in the tight five, so too does Jonny Gray for Cotter, steadily bringing his game to new heights under the New Zealander's tutelage.

Despite being the youngest player in the Scottish squad, 20-year-old Gray took over Scotland's captain responsibilities when Greig Laidlaw came off against Italy, a sign of just how much faith Cotter has in his ability.

Lawes brings a similar boost in morale to the England setup and has earned the praise of forwards coach Graham Rowntree, who told The Telegraph's Mick Cleary:

"

Courtney has matured as person and as a player. You can’t hide what he brings for us physically. He has played two games for Saints [since coming back from injury] and he has played well in both. Last season, on the summer tour and into the autumn, Courtney has played exceptionally well for us. He is back to his best. We have riches in our second-row resources at the moment with a lot of athletes there but Courtney is a special player.

"

Despite the fine job George Kruis has done in the Saints behemoth's absence, there's no doubting what an improvement Lawes brings to the England XV.

The brunt he adds to England's carrying options will be rivalled only by that orchestrating presence he also brings to England's line-out, a competition Gray will be hard-pressed to win in foreign territory.

5. George Ford vs. Finn Russell

A 19-9 defeat in Dublin two weeks ago was the first occasion in which England fly-half George Ford has been bested by an opposite number at this year's Six Nations.

Scotland No. 10 Finn Russell returns from suspension at Twickenham and will be hoping to pile more misery on the Bath star, but club and country team-mate Joseph says Ford will recover in Week 4, per the Bath Chronicle: "George will definitely learn and be better next time. He's done that his whole career. He always bounces back and will put in another great performance when the next game comes around. That's the type of character he is."

Dealing with Ireland's kicking barrage was where Lancaster's men collapsed at the Aviva Stadium, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Scots attempt their own aerial bombardment on Saturday.

Having the talents of a full-back like Hogg behind him is a great boon to Russell, but the aforementioned Brown and Anthony Watson give Ford some enviable targets to hit, too.

Having failed to dazzle in Dublin by usual standards, Ford will be seeking a return to prominence in Week 4, but Russell's renewal in the Scotland XV gives the travelling party a welcome return to look forward to.