Gregor Townsend claimed losing is worse than facing criticism as Scotland prepare for their "biggest game of the season" against England at the Six Nations.

Scotland suffered a demoralising 18-15 loss to Italy in their Six Nations opener, with the hosts racing into a 12-point lead at Stadio Olimpico.

It was their fifth consecutive away loss in the Six Nations, their worst run since 2016-2018, but they are returning to home soil, where they fared much better.

Scotland have won seven of their last 11 home games in the Six Nations (L4), while they have won three of their previous four at the ground against England under Townsend (L1).

And having made a losing start to the tournament, Townsend was not shying away from the importance of the Calcutta Cup clash, while blocking the outside noise.

"It's only on days like this you experience it [criticism] because it's such a busy job," Townsend, who will take charge of his 100th Scotland match on Saturday, said.

"You fill every minute of the day with reviewing what we could have done better, going into selection and going into training.

"It's part of the job and part of losing. The feeling of losing is worse than the distraction of people giving their opinions to the group or me as a coach.

Our team to face England #AsOne pic.twitter.com/jJqEOWUC55

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 12, 2026

"It's [The England game] huge, it's our biggest game of the season, and it always has been. It's even more important on the back of a disappointing defeat.

"We know our supporters are behind us, as they always are, and we'll need their energy at the weekend."

Townsend has made four changes to his side for the match-up with England, with Grant Gilchrist and Pierre Schoeman dropping out of the pack.

But there is still no place for the British and Irish Lions trio Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe, which has raised some eyebrows.

All the changes are among the forwards, with George Turner, Jamie Ritchie, Nathan McBeth and Gregor Brown all coming in, with the former replacing the injured Ewan Ashman at hooker.

"It was a big decision not involving Grant [Gilchrist] this week," he added.

"He has been excellent in this fixture – I could count on one hand the amount of players who have given more in this jersey in the last 10 years.

"But the team we've selected, we feel our players can make a good impact at the start, but also going into that final quarter."

Scotland team to face England

Starting XV: Tom Jordan, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (captain), Jamie Dobie, Finn Russell, Ben White; Nathan McBeth, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: Dave Cherry, Pierre Schoeman, Elliot Millar Mills, Max Williamson, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Adam Hastings, Darcy Graham.