Ahead of this weekend’s Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield, we delve into the intriguing history of five players who have donned both the England and Scotland jerseys.
The Calcutta Cup clash between England and Scotland stands as one of international rugby’s oldest rivalries, dating back to their inaugural meeting in 1871, when teams fielded 20 players each. Since then, these two sides have fiercely contested for the coveted cup with relentless passion and determination.
In recent times, there has been a notable increase in players crossing the border. Individuals like Sam Skinner and Ben White, currently part of Scotland’s squad, had previously represented England at junior levels.
A striking example is Alec Hepburn, the former England prop with six caps to his name. Following a mandated three-year stand-down period, Hepburn, born in Perth, Australia to a Scottish father, made the switch to Scotland just in time for the 2024 Six Nations.
Explore below to discover five more players who’ve experienced the unique distinction of playing for both nations.
1. Cameron Redpath
The Bath playmaker, 21, played for England at U20 level but chose to join Scotland for the 2021 Six Nations, where he made his debut in their historic win at Twickenham. He was previously selected in England’s 34-man squad for their 2018 summer tour of South Africa but was unable to travel with the squad because of injury
DID YOU KNOW? Bryan Redpath’s nickname as a player was “Basil” and whilst at Sale his son was given the nickname “boom boom” as a result due to the association with the children’s television character Basil Brush
