Six Nations 2024: England's Danny Care 'desperate' to face Scotland at Murrayfield

Danny Care says he cannot wait to face Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday in what could be his final chance to play at Murrayfield.

The scrum-half, 37, has won 98 caps since making his England debut in 2008.

"I'm desperate to be out there, it's one of the great games. All the history, it's a brilliant place to play," he told the BBC Rugby Union Daily podcast.

Care could start after Alex Mitchell withdrew because of injury.

England's team is due to be announced at 15:00 GMT on Thursday.

England arrive at Murrayfield having won two from two against Italy and Wales in this year's Six Nations.

In both matches, Care came on as a replacement for Mitchell late in the second half.

Bath's Ben Spencer is the only other scrum-half in England's squad after Bristol's Harry Randall was released to play for England A.

"I'm disappointed for Mitch, he's been brilliant for England and taken that opportunity to grab that number nine shirt," added Care.

"We're all desperate to get into that nine shirt, and if it's me to do it this weekend then I'll give it my all. You never know which minute will be my last so I want to give it my all."

'We need to stop the tide and wrestle that cup back'

Scotland have won their past three Calcutta Cup matches with England, who have only won one of the past six meetings - a 13-6 victory in 2020.

"We need to stop the tide and wrestle that cup back," said Care. "The past few years they've had a lot of thunderbolt tries from nowhere almost. We've got to stop them from happening."

England lock Ollie Chessum has called Scotland the favourites to lift the Calcutta Cup, while former England captain Matt Dawson told the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast that the hosts were no longer Calcutta Cup underdogs and "happy to carry the favourites tag".

Scotland, who defeated Wales in round one, were controversially beaten by France last time out, having been denied a match-winning try at the end of the game.

"If you're a Scottish fan or player, you look at what happened last week and you do feel aggrieved," said Care.

"We realise away in Scotland, against a side full of confidence and full of magic, they're going to test us. It's why I never gave up on trying to play for England, to play games like this."

'We absolutely respect the brilliance of Finn'

Care also called Scotland co-captain Finn Russell "a massive threat" offensively for the hosts.

Russell kicked 11 points against France and 12 against Wales, where he also set up a Duhan van der Merwe try.

"He's a massive, massive weapon for them," said Care. "We absolutely respect the brilliance of Finn.

"But we, as any team, you always say put the nine and 10 under pressure, try to take their time or space away. If we can do that right then hopefully we will [come away with the win]."