England V Scotland Predictions

First topic message reminder :

Discuss. I'm going for a 15 - 15 draw again. Really.

Scot Abroad wrote:

TJ wrote:Teh last 7 years 6 nations games is 2 wins scotland, 4 england, 1 draw

England also haven't scored a try at Murrayfield since 2004. So all this talk of them running away with it is a bit over the top.

Everyone knows England have been pants since late 2003. But that's all stopping now. Just wait and watch. I'll be here to say I told you so afterwards.

I'll be waiting

Don't hold your breath. Are we having a slap bet or what?

KickAndChase wrote:I used to think Scotland was unlucky but eventually you have to admit it's to do with composure instead of luck. I used to think the opposite for Wales - they get lucky, often, but then I had to eventually admit they have a mentality of winning. I'm comparing them to Scotland here - I think Wales & Scotland have equal talent in their squads but Wales always seem to do better than Scotland. Check out Cardiff 2 years ago for an admittedly extreme example, but an example nonetheless.

True I'd agree with that! I don't believe in luck, you win or lose games for a reason. Scotland lose games a lot because the concentration is often lacking at crucial moments. Game against Argentina in the WC is a good example. I think another reason is they play their guts out and often only come out of the oppositions half with 3 points, or nothing, which is pretty demoralising. I'd like to see Scotland have a bit more belief and composure. Less drop goals while there is still time on the clock and more focus on putting pressure on the other team, going through the phases more.. here's a good example of composure, this is one of my fav try's from last year... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8ovzc8gSoM&list=UULDuHINtL5GN1PMroNv-hxQ&index=71&feature=plcp#t=08m18s

Wonderful clip, bsando, 26 phases of patience, excellent support and intelligent rugby - sometimes, sadly, i suspect that those 3 qualities are lacking in our backline, but I'm feeling positive that some of the youngsters coming thru appear to have them. Shame that we seem unlikely to see them in this 6Ns and will, I suspect, have to wait for the summer tour downunder

Yep bsando that's exactly right. After about 15 phases everyone starts to realise that's it's going to be 5/7 points or 0 points and I personally think that's more intimidating for an opposition team than booting over a drop goal as soon as in range.

Before the try they mix it up with what they do - pick and go, forwards on a crash ball, forwards on a drive, out to the back line - which means Australia can't commit to any one type of defence. NZ have the confidence to keep going until something is unlocked, because they know it will eventually.

One depressing characteristic Scotland had a couple of years ago - less so now, but still exists, is when someone like Kelly Brown or Sean Lamont makes a wonderful break, the opposition defence is trying to reset. Scotland rumble another 1 or maybe 2 phases then suddenly a drop goal occurs out of nowhere. Every time I am in the pub I am NOT cheering at this, I'm depressed.

The other characteristic I want them to shake is attempting the drop goal when they have a penalty advantage. Penalty advantage in the 22 is gold dust - you're either going to get a shot a goal OR you're going to have a very good opportunity for a try, or the ref can't rescind the penalty advantage otherwise. Keep it in the hands (no speculative cross kick) and go for gold.

I've said it for years and will say it again - I'd rather Scotland learned how to score tries during this 6N above all else, or we'll never be better than a consistent 5th. For example I'd rather we lost against England having gone for tries and converted even 20% of the chances than win having taken a drop goal every time - because that tactic only works in half the matches we play in and we have to develop the other kind of play some time.

The day we travel to a nation's stadium that's 2 or 3 positions below us in the world rankings and we DON'T feel as apprehensive is the day we've moved on from our negative play. At the moment that would mean Italy and I'd say that come that final match, we'll unfortunately be worried about that game.

PS Dan Carter is the best 10 ever - he can be really fancy sometimes and you won't actually notice because he won't overplay it (like Quade Cooper) - he just does his job to perfection.

KickAndChase wrote:I'd rather Scotland learned how to score tries during this 6N above all else, or we'll never be better than a consistent 5th. For example I'd rather we lost against England having gone for tries and converted even 20% of the chances than win having taken a drop goal every time - because that tactic only works in half the matches we play in and we have to develop the other kind of play some time.

+1

miteyironpaw wrote:Yes, let's shout the queen a new yacht after all.

And invade somewhere. We haven't invaded anywhere for ages.

How about Scotland once they achieve devolution?

KickAndChase wrote:Don't hold your breath. Are we having a slap bet or what?

Look, I'm not here to WUM or get into a childish my-team-is-better-than-yours slanging match. I'm just expressing an opinion that I will stand by.

I predict a comfortable win for England with many many tries scored by England, ok maybe 10 might be going a little too far but I think this one should be a procession.

If I'm wrong, well what can I say? I'll be here to face the music and admit I got it completely wrong.

Good luck to both teams.

Well looking at the last Murrayfield battles, none of the games has been decided by more than a few points and tries have been rarer than a try scored by Scotland.

Both teams go into this match with an untried 10 12 13 axis so that in itself is annulled.

I don't really think AR will go for all-out attack. He needs a win to get back some favour and normally you stick to what you know your side can do well in a must-win situation. So much of the same the way I see it for this Murrayfield Calcutta Cup match and if Scotland ever had an opportune moment with so many frontline English players out, this is the very match.

miteyironpaw wrote:

KickAndChase wrote:Don't hold your breath. Are we having a slap bet or what?

Look, I'm not here to WUM or get into a childish my-team-is-better-than-yours slanging match. I'm just expressing an opinion that I will stand by.

I predict a comfortable win for England with many many tries scored by England, ok maybe 10 might be going a little too far but I think this one should be a procession.

If I'm wrong, well what can I say? I'll be here to face the music and admit I got it completely wrong.

Good luck to both teams.

Sorry but your postulations do make me think it's nothing *but* a WUM. Every other single poster's comments, even England fans and neutrals, should surely have steered you away by now from saying it will be a "procession".

But yeah, that's okay. It would be dull if we all thought the same thing would happen.

Plus if someone's going to make such claims I might as well make a buck or a bit of humour out of it

KickAndChase wrote:

miteyironpaw wrote:

KickAndChase wrote:Don't hold your breath. Are we having a slap bet or what?

Look, I'm not here to WUM or get into a childish my-team-is-better-than-yours slanging match. I'm just expressing an opinion that I will stand by.

I predict a comfortable win for England with many many tries scored by England, ok maybe 10 might be going a little too far but I think this one should be a procession.

If I'm wrong, well what can I say? I'll be here to face the music and admit I got it completely wrong.

Good luck to both teams.

Sorry but your postulations do make me think it's nothing *but* a WUM. Every other single poster's comments, even England fans and neutrals, should surely have steered you away by now from saying it will be a "procession".

But yeah, that's okay. It would be dull if we all thought the same thing would happen.

Plus if someone's going to make such claims I might as well make a buck or a bit of humour out of it

I can't be confident about my team without being a WUM? Let's see what happens, and if I'm wrong I'll be the first to admit it as I've said. Just because a the crowd is shouting, doesn't mean the loan voice is wrong.

Out of interest, how many tries do you think England WILL score, if not more than 10? What's a likely final score, in your opinion? How many swan dives will Ashton do?

Something in the region of 56-6 I think is a reasonable stab at a scoreline. I think Aston will get another hat-trick, possibly four.

miteyironpaw wrote:Something in the region of 56-6 I think is a reasonable stab at a scoreline. I think Aston will get another hat-trick, possibly four.

And, pray tell, how many tries would the England team score in total?

I have a feeling that this 6N will be the beginning of the end for Robbo, including this upcoming England game, which is a shame seeing as he's done a good job with Scotland, its just a shame our players are cocking it up and that Andy's not the best selector.

Regardless of previous posts, I say this match will probs have the tightest scoreline, and the stodgiest play. I reckon either a 12-12 draw or 12-15 either way is quite likely.

Either that or England score 2 tries and Scotland 4 penalties so the score is 12-14, this is what I'll stick with.

From today's Torygraph:

"Stuart Lancaster needs England's youth brigade need to become streetwise soon for Six Nations

by Brian Moore

This is the time of the year for speculation. The lead-up to the Six Nations Championship invariably excites European rugby fans, especially those in Britain and Ireland who have no other way of expressing their antipathetic rivalry in a team sporting contest.

This year there will be an extra edge to things as England’s fortunes are so open to supposition that only a fool would predict confidently about their likely standing in the final table.

England in flux and vulnerable – is there any better prospect to whet the appetite for the Murrayfield faithful?

A Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield is fated to draw references to the heroic Scottish Grand Slam win over England in 1990.

There is perhaps no game about which more has been written and that will continue because it is unique in encapsulating wider social and political parts of the era in which it took place.

Many of today’s players must be bewildered about current references to something so long gone; some were not even born when it took place.
There will be attempts, admittedly almost exclusively media-driven, to draw parallels between the forthcoming opener and 1990, but they are artificial.

Furthermore, England will not go to Edinburgh with a team full of British Lions and face something similar. They will go with a team of players whose form is uneven.

They will face a settled team who are fully aware of their strengths and limitations and drawn from Edinburgh and Glasgow who have both performed well in this season’s Heineken Cup. Given their recent record against England at home, Scotland will start the game as favourites.

Stuart Lancaster’s recently chosen squad has been hailed as evincing a new attitude to selection where youth is to the forefront, but in reality it is merely the product of some common sense and a lack of alternatives.

Critics of his choices have alternatively bemoaned the lack of gnarled hard men and also the absence of left-field teenage mavericks who, it is said, will light up the future and show that England have finally shaken off their innate conservatism.

The fact is that these are mythical, idealised characters and by and large they do not exist in the English domestic game.

Whatever XV start for England it will have many players whose experience in international rugby is two seasons or less, and they will have to learn the hard way without the presence of a spine of senior players and decision-makers to ease their passage.

Lancaster and his coaching team can do little about this, but what they can influence is the attitude that pervades the England camp for the Six Nations.

Much has been written about humility and getting back to the roots of the game, and it is tempting to dismiss this as a convenient counter-position to what is believed to have been the case in the last World Cup.

I do not think it can be so glibly characterised because behind the generalities of Lancaster’s approach are specifics that need to be addressed.

The wrongly leaked player comments from the World Cup backed up the perception that some of England’s younger players were a bit too full of themselves, wanting the trappings of success without succeeding.

In some cases this appears to be creeping into the way that some international players approach club games.

Lancaster needs to remind his players that international status does not bring you any divine right to do or be given anything on a rugby field.

In particular, it does not give you the right to comment about all and sundry and annoy the referee.

Dan Cole’s contribution to Leicester’s thrashing by Ulster was to get sent to the sin-bin almost the instant he came on for comments to referee Romain Poite.

Similarly, the stream of invective from a frustrated Ben Youngs did nothing to court Poite’s goodwill. Other games saw petulant pushing and players throwing the ball down in fits of pique.

Growing up under the Lancaster regime has to include understanding the responsibilities of being an international, not just the rights.

Looking back might not be very popular with rugby’s youth, but the study of history would be worthwhile if for no other reason than to see what defines successful international teams.

The presence of a streetwise attitude to officials and the laws is almost always one characteristic and the sooner England’s younger players learn it, the better and more successful they will become."

It's the bits in bold that bother me, and sadly I think Mooro could well be right - Robbo will stick to the tried and tested for this match, imagining that will give him the edge over a relatively new/less experienced England - fatal mistake if that's true, imo

Moore is not a liked man...but i am one of the few who thinks he is extremely knowledgeable and generally correct whenever he speaks.

Its the lack of gnarled grizzled hard men that England are lacking, that is really concerning me....

miteyironpaw wrote:Something in the region of 56-6 I think is a reasonable stab at a scoreline. I think Aston will get another hat-trick, possibly four.

I can't believe anybody actually thinks this isn't a WUM.

Equo Troiano wrote:

miteyironpaw wrote:Something in the region of 56-6 I think is a reasonable stab at a scoreline. I think Aston will get another hat-trick, possibly four.

I can't believe anybody actually thinks this isn't a WUM.

Equo, I thought that to begin with, but I admire mitey for speaking truthfully and plainly, and I suspect this is what he actually believes

I know enough to predict a close game. Any more than that and I'm kidding myself.

Last year was the final year of Scottish Optimism for me. Turning up to watch Scotland play Wales after we had a really bright start in France and Wales Struggled at home to a poor England side.

I should have known better then and know better now. I'll never tip Scotland to do well untill they prove it to me.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Equo Troiano wrote:

miteyironpaw wrote:Something in the region of 56-6 I think is a reasonable stab at a scoreline. I think Aston will get another hat-trick, possibly four.

I can't believe anybody actually thinks this isn't a WUM.

Equo, I thought that to begin with, but I admire mitey for speaking truthfully and plainly, and I suspect this is what he actually believes

What you actually mean is that he is quite clearly 'special' but respect his basic human right to contribute. 56-6 indeed.

Equo Troiano wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Equo Troiano wrote:

miteyironpaw wrote:Something in the region of 56-6 I think is a reasonable stab at a scoreline. I think Aston will get another hat-trick, possibly four.

I can't believe anybody actually thinks this isn't a WUM.

Equo, I thought that to begin with, but I admire mitey for speaking truthfully and plainly, and I suspect this is what he actually believes

What you actually mean is that he is quite clearly 'special' but respect his basic human right to contribute. 56-6 indeed.

Ha, ha hmm, he may lick the windows on the bus, I'm not sure

I think it'll be close, and as i'm traveling up to Scotland to watch the match with friends I hope it's England that do sneak it, in reality I imagine it'll be Scotland.

Three tries in it, mainly due to poor defence and the team that scores two the winner.

On a side note, listening to journalists like Moore bemoan the state of the young generation of players and get all rose tinted about the 'hard men' of the game is really beginning to wind me up.

Why are we so down on the new players before they even play?

Yappy...

We're not bemoning the young players....what we (and theres a lot of England fans thinking the same) is that some real tough players are still required in rugby...and at presant England seem to have way too many "athletic" forwards....

You need a good balance....look at NZ, France, SA, Ireland...etc they have their athletic mobile forwards...but they also have a couple of right tough blokes in there aswell.

I'll hold off making my prediction until I've seen the starting XVs.

Looking at the squads, I see another scrappy game on the horizon with less than 10 points between the sides.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I know enough to predict a close game. Any more than that and I'm kidding myself.

Last year was the final year of Scottish Optimism for me. Turning up to watch Scotland play Wales after we had a really bright start in France and Wales Struggled at home to a poor England side.

I should have known better then and know better now. I'll never tip Scotland to do well untill they prove it to me.

This process began for me in 2007, Argentina quarter final. I think in 2008 I finally gave up - if I recall correctly we lost to Italy in that tournament again.

By 2009 I enjoyed our victory over Australia but refused to comment until we beat Argentina, which never happened. Millennium Stadium 2010 I wasn't convinced until we were 3 scores away, which never happened. Etc, etc.

I'll just repeat your salient point. I'll never tip Scotland to do well until they prove it to me.

But I'll always support them in any way I can, as I'm sure you do that's true loyalty!

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yappy...

We're not bemoning the young players....what we (and theres a lot of England fans thinking the same) is that some real tough players are still required in rugby...and at presant England seem to have way too many "athletic" forwards....

You need a good balance....look at NZ, France, SA, Ireland...etc they have their athletic mobile forwards...but they also have a couple of right tough blokes in there aswell.

Sorry Geordie, I didn't mean you. I meant more comments like this:

"Looking back might not be very popular with rugby’s youth"

"The wrongly leaked player comments from the World Cup backed up the perception that some of England’s younger players were a bit too full of themselves, wanting the trappings of success without succeeding."

"Lancaster needs to remind his players that international status does not bring you any divine right to do or be given anything on a rugby field."

I agree we need a mix, but I'd much prefer a player like Brad Thorne to the tripe peddaled as 'Englands toughest players' makes me cringe just to read it. We do have the youngsters that can do that and I have high hopes for them.

Yeah i think he's possibly reffering to the likes of Care and so forth whos behaviour hasnt been of the highest recently....but we're not the only country whos players have done that....

Even players likes of Doug Howlett have been picked up in their time...

We do have the youngsters that can do that and I have high hopes for them.

I hope they come good matey....

I don't really see where some of the English confidence is coming from.
Yes looking at resources and structure England should be massive favorites. But then again looking at those things England should be hammering everyone in world rugby. They don't though.
The reality right now is England are playing with an untried team and new coach, away from home, against a team who nearly had them not long ago on neutral ground, without the core of experience that helped them win that game.
I think Scottish fans can afford to be the more confident of the two but years of bad results is stopping any of you coming out and saying it.

Despite some of what's being said here the England players, management and majority of the fans will be more than happy with a 1point last minute win.

I predict a completely shockingly bad game, handling errors galore, maybe a yellow card or two from slowing the game down but ultimately a Scottish win by 1 - 5 points.





I also predict that it will be the refs fault on these boards.

overlordofthewest wrote:I also predict that it will be the refs fault on these boards.

It's common knowledge that the Welsh have copyrighted that excuse.

against a team who nearly had them not long ago on neutral ground, without the core of experience that helped them win that game.

Or you could say they beat them with the hinderance of players who should have been put to rest long ago or did not balance the team...like Tindall, Moody, Easter (not as much), Croft, Hape, Banahan, Flood at 12?? etc etc

GeordieFalcon wrote:

against a team who nearly had them not long ago on neutral ground, without the core of experience that helped them win that game.

Or you could say they beat them with the hinderance of players who should have been put to rest long ago or did not balance the team...like Tindall, Moody, Easter (not as much), Croft, Hape, Banahan, Flood at 12?? etc etc

Just wait for the wrath of the Tigers' fans for that comment, Geordie!

Couldnt resist aslong .... but i do think he was major issue of balance in the back row....good player though he is he still wouldnt be my starting 6.....

Come on safe. We all know that when a pro 12 side beats a Jeff side it's invariably the refs fault. Same goes for any England loss, Wales or Ireland win.

Geordie, you could be right. We'll find out soon enough I guess. After all a new coach recently took a less experienced Welsh team on his first game to twickenham no less. This side was mostly made up from one region and not only won the game but the grand slam too that year. Anythings possible even if its unlikely.

Ah i dont forsee a GS overlord....

Just want to see the pack show some bite...especially at the breakdown...where we have been utterly dross....quick ball....and actually look like they are enjoying their rugby...not that its a chore!.

I think its a very unpredictable game. England - a lot of unknowns and untried combinations - but with great potential.

Scotland should be hungry and have been together a while now with some class players

impossible to predict. a Scotland runaway victory is unlikely but other than that it could be any result

I fear too conservative from robbo tho

I a dream that he played Parks. It's all over.

Then again I was also driving a jag around an unpopulated London, so...

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Just want to see the pack show some bite...especially at the breakdown...where we have been utterly dross....quick ball....and actually look like they are enjoying their rugby...not that its a chore!.

I think by having the new guys in and getting rid of the old brigade you'll have this. The team will be eager to impress; will be playing for pride and the shirt and will relish the opportunity they've been given. Look at how Foden and Ashton have contributed to England, then compare them to Tindal and Wilkinson. They're all good players but 2 have had their day and 2 are eager and peaking right now.
It's the right thing to do to pick the players that have been picked but I wouldn't expect results immediately. Going to Murryfield will be hard enough as it is, going as England is perhaps harder again and going into an away game that the hosts will undoubtedly be targeting for a number of reasons will be big ask off these relatively inexperienced English players.
So, I think there will be more passion, pride, hard work for each other and enjoyment but I think it will still turn out to be a slugfest with the Scots winning by a few points only. I may be wrong - I hope I am in a way as being neutral I want to see an open game with plenty of tries and excitement, also Scotland will be coming to Cardiff for their next game and a fired up Scotland side coming here on the back of beating England is not going to be in our best interests to say the least.

overlordofthewest wrote:I want to see an open game with plenty of tries and excitement

Good luck!

I think all this "pride", "passion" "playing for the shirt" thing is a bit tired now to be honest.

Success in professional team sports is about systems, structure, preparation, individual conditioning and fitness, analysis of the opposition, a coherent game plan executed accurately, a dash of luck and strong and decisive on-field leadership. New combinations will be mitigated by sticking to a more straight forward game plan and restricting the number of higher risk or complex moves until the players gell into combinations. When things get tight the difference can be about your commitment to your team mates and the team, but at this level that should be taken for granted, especially for a team like England who have such a large player pool to chose from that there are a lot of options for the selectors should someone's mentality be called into question.

My main worry about this England side is the lack of experienced leaders. Note I said experienced leaders, not experienced players. Against the likes of Scotland and Italy that shouldn't be a problem but I wonder about their ability to reactively adapt as a cohesive unit against more experienced sides like France, Ireland or the well-led and coached Wales. If this side were going up against the cunning Australia, the intimidating South Africa, or the currently awesome All Blacks I'd be nervous of a rout. However with the 6N behind them I think we'll build to a team who are not frightened of anyone in world rugby. 2015 should be Englands with careful management between now and then.

Back on topic - if England click, which in itself could be tricky given the number of new faces, and play the ball with width and pace (Lancaster's game plan), I could see it opening up after 50 and England playing quite well.
But, I suspect that Scotland will try and keep it tight and move from set piece to set piece, kick penalties etc.
I went for 5 tries being in an optimistic mood today.

Yes Bathmad I agree with you, the second half should be a procession once the England side clicks.

overlordofthewest wrote:

I predict a completely shockingly bad game, handling errors galore, maybe a yellow card or two from slowing the game down but ultimately a Scottish win by 1 - 5 points.

Quite clearly, the English EPS has been picked with mobility and ball carrying the priorities in the forwards and strong attacking potential in the backs. There will be handling errors from England, its a new stage for a lot of their players, but even taking that into consideration, given the way Scotland play, the only team getting likely to be yellow carded for slowing the game down will be them because England will have no intention of hanging around to get drawn into an arm-wrestle. This could quite possibly be the best Scotland v England game in a long time.

miteyironpaw wrote:Yes Bathmad I agree with you, the second half should be a procession once the England side clicks.

It has been a long time since England have had a procession at Murrayfield.

overlordofthewest wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Just want to see the pack show some bite...especially at the breakdown...where we have been utterly dross....quick ball....and actually look like they are enjoying their rugby...not that its a chore!.

I think by having the new guys in and getting rid of the old brigade you'll have this. The team will be eager to impress; will be playing for pride and the shirt and will relish the opportunity they've been given. Look at how Foden and Ashton have contributed to England, then compare them to Tindal and Wilkinson. They're all good players but 2 have had their day and 2 are eager and peaking right now.
It's the right thing to do to pick the players that have been picked but I wouldn't expect results immediately. Going to Murryfield will be hard enough as it is, going as England is perhaps harder again and going into an away game that the hosts will undoubtedly be targeting for a number of reasons will be big ask off these relatively inexperienced English players.
So, I think there will be more passion, pride, hard work for each other and enjoyment but I think it will still turn out to be a slugfest with the Scots winning by a few points only. I may be wrong - I hope I am in a way as being neutral I want to see an open game with plenty of tries and excitement, also Scotland will be coming to Cardiff for their next game and a fired up Scotland side coming here on the back of beating England is not going to be in our best interests to say the least.

Without over inflating anybody's ego here, I think this is an excellent brief assessment of the relative natures and approaches of the teams in question. I also, feel the match will be a bit of a slug fest, as is often the case when a team is intent on playing a slow game. Look at virtually all of Sarries matches, particularly last season's Jeff SF vs Gloucester. Even the Aussies have succumbed to Scotland's desperate desire to slow the game and make it a battle. Until England can put the right processes in place, as Mightyironpaw alluded to, I think it's going to be very difficult for England to 'cut loose'.

As an aside, my impression of what Mightironpaw has been gesturing towards, is an England side with the right attitude for once. Of building an elite side which wants to be the best in the world. When was the last time we heard that from England (2002?).

In a sense then his prediction of a 'procession', whilst a little on the verge of window licking territory, is what England should have belief of; or at least be building towards belief of. With the greatest respect to Scotland, they have always been a fairly limited side, more by relative resources than anything else. If England forever go in Calcutta matches hoping for a slim win, how can they ever start to have confidence against the supreme AB's for example?

Exactly Chjw131. Scotland have never won the 6N, they invariably are to be found at the bottom of the table with Italy. They should technically be road kill. I think England give them too much respect. We need to change mentality. We need to go out to give them a good spanking and not get drawn into their negative and limited game.

Indeed Paw, I like the attitude and positivity. It is in my traditionally English nature however, to afford a healthy respect to the opposition and try not to come across as an arrogant arse expecting a win. But you are exactly right, that is the attitude England need to foster belief.

History however, always informs the future and as a nation who has previously sought to 'civilise' others, it has always been beholden of us to try and reign in that attitude. It is a legacy i'm afraid, of English decline and acceptance that what we have done around the world has not been universally greeted with respect, and in many instances nor should it have been. But as a national psyche we need to accept and in some instances apologise for what has gone on before, and bloody well move on for once.