RUGBY/Six Nations' Preview: England are backing the thirtysomethings in their pack to turn up trumps and provide a winning hand to silence Scottish taunts in today's Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.

Jim Telfer, Scotland's director of rugby, indulged in some pre-match psychology by highlighting the fact that his forwards hold the advantage of youth for the encounter.

But England coach Clive Woodward retorted: "I think the whole pack has taken on Jim Telfer's comments. I'm looking forward to seeing that the old English legs can still run around the pitch."

Telfer's bid to field a combative young pack intent on roughing up England's elder statesmen is mirrored by the selection of 6ft 7in, 19st Australian-born giant Nathan Hines, who showed he packed a punch when he became the first Scottish player sent off in 130 years of international rugby against the US in San Francisco last summer.

Woodward is confident that England's pack - with five over-30s in skipper Martin Johnson, Graham Rowntree, Lawrence Dallaglio, Neil Back and Jason Leonard, who will be winning his 101st cap - can take care of themselves. He left it to his assistant Andy Robinson to state the case for the old hands.

Robinson said: "Age has never been a factor. If you are good enough you are old enough, whether you are at a young age or 36 or 37. Look at Jason Leonard and the way he has performed this year, he has played outstandingly well. Also Martin Johnson. Their fitness results are better than they have ever been. Look at the way they play, fitness has never been an issue for our forwards."

Woodward said: "It's up to the Scots how they play the game as long as they play within the rules. Then it is up to the referee and the touch judges to referee it accordingly."

The disciplinary front has provided England's newest problem in the run-up to the likely Six Nations decider against Ireland in Dublin next weekend, but Woodward yesterday pledged his faith in Danny Grewcock, the Bath second row forward, who could be suspended by then.

Grewcock, who faces two charges of punching and one of unsportsmanlike behaviour following last week's English Premiership clash with Northampton, is on the bench.

As England look to extend their record winning run at Twickenham to 21 matches, Woodward is aware that the one thing which could unhinge his team is complacency.

He said: "It is a big concern, tomorrow's game is a big concern so we have taken absolutely no chances at all. The record is there to be beaten so we are full of respect for the Scottish team. It's my job and Andy's job to make sure no complacency steps in and I don't expect there to be any."

The occasion should take care of that.

"We always look forward to an England-Scotland game in all sports," added Woodward.

"It gives an edge to the game, which is good, but we don't talk about it as much as people north of the border. We think about it in our team room."