England need to earn world's best tag - Hodge

Scotland international Duncan Hodge believes England’s world number one ranking is open to debate.

Clive Woodward’s side have enjoyed formidable results against all the top southern hemisphere teams in recent months to reach the top.

But, with the games against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa being played at Twickenham, Hodge insists the team must prove themselves away from home to earn the right to be number one.

He said: “It is difficult to gauge whether England deserve to be number one in the world.

“They are an excellent team and are right at the top of their game. You only have to look at their results to see how good they are.

“But a lot of those wins have come at Twickenham and the real test will be doing it away from home too.”

England’s credentials will be put to the test when the World Cup opens in Australia in October.

But, more immediately, Edinburgh Gunners stand-off Hodge recognises Scotland will require an extra-special performance to defeat England at Twickenham in the penultimate RBS 6 Nations game at the weekend.

Victory would set Woodward’s men on course for a colossal game with Ireland, who also have the Grand Slam in their sights, in the final match of the series.

However, Hodge – who scored all the points in the 19-13 win over the English in April 2000 – knows what it means to a Scottish team to beat the Auld Enemy.

“We have only beaten England twice in about 15 years and it really is special,” he said.

“It was a terrible day for weather three years ago, but we deserved the win.

“Chris Paterson kicked well against Wales the other week and he has to keep that form consistently for us at Twickenham.”