England stars put through gruelling weight-training ahead of Scotland Six Nations clash as Eddie Jones ensures his stars are in peak condition for Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield

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England face arguably their toughest task of this season's NatWest 6 Nations on Saturday, and Eddie Jones is taking no chances when it comes to ensuring his side are ready.

The Six Nations holders travel to Edinburgh this weekend to face Scotland at Murrayfield, with their sights still firmly set on the Grand Slam.

However, they are likely to face a stern test against the Auld Enemy, with the Scots having won each of their last five Six Nations clashes at home, with New Zealand the only side to have won there since 2016.

George Kruis (left) and Joe Launchbury (right) fly up a hill with their weights at Pennyhill Park

Nathan Hughes, who starts at No 8, wears a weights vest as he tackles the ascent in training

Chris Robshaw and Sam Underhill show the strain as they climb the steps during the session

Charlie Ewels (left), Kruis and Launchbury drag a set of weights behind them on Thursday

So it is no surprise that Jones is doing everything in his power to ensure his side are in top condition for the Calcutta Cup clash. 

England forwards were put through a gruelling weight-training regime at Pennyhill Park on Thursday, as they carried extra loads of a flight of stairs.

The players were also placed in weighted vests as they made the ascent in a bid to prove their fitness to the coach.  

Both Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell will be key if England are to keep the Grand Slam bid on track

Courtney Lawes, who will start at Murrayfield on Saturday, shows his strength in training

Eddie Jones has made just the one change to the XV that started the victory over Wales

Jones has named his side for the Test, with only one change being made in the starting XV from the side that beat Wales.

Nathan Hughes returns from a knee injury to replace Sam Simmonds at No 8, who himself is out with injury.

On the bench, Joe Marler returns, with the prop having served his six-week suspension for striking with the shoulder.  

‘We will need to be very tough and relentless in our defence to keep the pressure on this Scottish team,’ said Jones.

‘They are renowned for their attack so we will need to put pressure on them, create opportunities through our defence for our attack, and convert those opportunities to points.’

Jonathan Joseph scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture last season, which England won 61-21

England forwards gather around a white board as they are talked through one of the drills

Itoje smiles as he practices with one of the Scottish balls ahead of the clash at Murrayfield