England Vs. Scotland 16H00 2/2/13 6N build up and Match thread

[RuggerRadge2611]

First topic message reminder :

Well I'll extend a warm welcome to our English cousins in our build up and match thread.

Let’s set the standard for these threads by not WUMing and having a good banter and an insightful discussion

The summer of 2012 was a loving affair as Scots were cheering on Ennis, Farrah and Wiggins. Whilst the English were cheering on the likes of Hoy, Murray and Grainger. All that is now a distant memory as the oldest fixture in rugby is set to be a highlight of the opening weekend.

So where are we? England coming in fresh of a stunning victory against the seemingly invincible All Blacks, whereas Scotland are coming into the match after a dire run of matches that saw Robinson fall on his sword.

Last year Lancaster's England was the unknown element and tipped to be defeated by Scotland who wanted vengeance for their 2011 RWC loss. The at Murrayfield game took an unexpected turn as Scotland butchered chance after chance and charge down Charlie showed us why Parks should have stayed in retirement.

Fast forward 1 year and it's a role reversal. Scotland with a new coach and a new attitude of Play well 1st, win games 2nd. I for one have no idea what to expect from Scotland in this tournament.

England though have set their stall out in the Autumn a convincing win against NZ but the quietly forgotten loss to the underwhelming Wallabies the week before swept, discreetly under the carpet.

No doubt England will be going in confident and the Scots will be... well going in with not many expectations at all.

Scotland have named Kelly Brown as captain and it's a well-earned accolade. The Sarries blindisde has been in excellent form all year and is the best choice for the job.

England are still sweating over the Tuilagi injury and despite saying there will be no special treatment it seems he is getting every opportunity to become match fit...




England Squad



15. Alex Goode (Saracens, 6 caps)
14. Chris Ashton (Saracens, 29 caps)
13. Brad Barritt (Saracens, 11 caps)
12. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 0 caps)
11. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 11 caps)
10. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 12 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 28 caps)

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 5 caps)
2. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 4 cap)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 35 caps)
4. Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 4 caps)
5. Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers, 12 caps)
6. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 13 caps)
7. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt, 12 caps)
8. Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 9 caps)

Replacements
16. Dylan Hartley (London Irish, 42 caps)
17. David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 22 caps)
18. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 4 caps)
19. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 15 caps)
20. James Haskell (London Wasps, 45 caps)
21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 37 caps)
22. Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers, 53 caps)
23. David Strettle (London Irish, 12 caps)



Scotland



15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)
14 Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors)
13 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors)
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby)
11 Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby)
10 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors)
9 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) [VC]

1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) [VC]
2 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors)
3 Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors)
4 Richie Gray (Sale Sharks)
5 Jim Hamilton (Gloucester Rugby)
6 Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan)
7 Kelly Brown (Saracens) [C]
8 Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier)

Substitutes:
16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby)
17 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors)
18 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby)
19 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors)
20 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby)
21 Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors)
22 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors)
23 Max Evans (Castres)

[nathan]

Maybe Manu was upset by Corrys comments!

What did Corry say?

This:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2268818/Six-Nations-2013-Martin-Corry-Imports-damage-Engliand-rugby.html

"New research by The Mail on Sunday....."

Always a scary start to an article!

[Solid8]

If Maitland can produce just one moment like the examples in this video on Saturday he will have earned his cap in my opinion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgMLB5vzukY

He definitely has the potential.

[screamingaddabs]

If Maitland can produce just one moment like the examples in this video on Saturday he will have earned his cap in my opinion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgMLB5vzukY

He definitely has the potential.

He does, and I think he will be excellent for Scotland, but I don't think he should be straight in. Clearly I'm the only one though so I'll quit

[screamingaddabs]

Maybe Manu was upset by Corrys comments!

What did Corry say?

This:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2268818/Six-Nations-2013-Martin-Corry-Imports-damage-Engliand-rugby.html

"New research by The Mail on Sunday....."

Always a scary start to an article!

Also, they showed everyone born in another country, including people such as Ronan O'Gara (born USA). Well, I think that perhaps Ronan is Irish though isn't he?

My son is going to be born soon, in Glasgow, Scottish mother. I'm English though and we will probably live in England for the majority of his childhood. If (and it's a pretty big if!) he was to play for England at rugby he would go down on the Daily Mail list as "qualifies through parent". It ignores that he would be 3/4 English (his grand parents are 3 English and 1 Scot) and would have been brought up there.

But meh, its the daily fail, they are just trying to get there "readers" wound up about immigration!

[EWT Spoons]

If Maitland can produce just one moment like the examples in this video on Saturday he will have earned his cap in my opinion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgMLB5vzukY

He definitely has the potential.

He does, and I think he will be excellent for Scotland, but I don't think he should be straight in. Clearly I'm the only one though so I'll quit

I see your point screamingaddabs, however you have to also consider there aren't that many other options. On the wing we could have Lee Jones (who is currently going through the worst 2nd season syndrome known to man), Seymour who’s still coming through, Sean Lamont who will probably be at 13 or Max Evans who most folk wouldn’t trust to carry the water bottles onto the pitch let along start on the wing. Off the top of my head, those are the options for the wing.

Maitland is looking pretty good now.

[bsando]

Agreed! Lee Jones is not cut out for International rugby, Evans is an athlete not a rugby player in my opinion, Lamont would perhaps be a good bench option but could potentially be on wing or centre.

However between Seymour and Maitland I think both are on par, due to Seymour being used to soft pitches and NH conditions. It would be a shame to just throw Maitland into the deep end but I think he can handle it to be honest. He's played several years for arguably the best club in the world against some of the toughest teams in the SH. Maitland himself said their moto was "Time goes fast", basically insinuating you better be the best goddam player in your position because we'll find a replacement if you have a bad game.

So Maitland vs Seymour.. either would please me tbh.

[TJ1]

I see a scottish win and it makes me want to puke.

Why?

Because Johnson has already annoyed the hell out of me.

Because it has a horrible inevitability about it after the fortunes of the respective sides over the autumn.

Because knowing scotland they'll then go on to lose to every other side in the comp just to annoy the feck out of everyone.

I'm thinking about boycotting watching this fixture.

Tee hee
*passes sick bag* I do so hope you enjoy your multicoloured yawn

[RDW]

Agreed! Lee Jones is not cut out for International under 10s girls rugby, Evans is an athlete not a rugby player in my opinion, Lamont would perhaps be a good bench option but could potentially be on wing or centre.

However between Seymour and Maitland I think both are on par, due to Seymour being used to soft pitches and NH conditions. It would be a shame to just throw Maitland into the deep end but I think he can handle it to be honest. He's played several years for arguably the best club in the world against some of the toughest teams in the SH. Maitland himself said their moto was "Time goes fast", basically insinuating you better be the best goddam player in your position because we'll find a replacement if you have a bad game.

So Maitland vs Seymour.. either would please me tbh.

Fixed that for you!

[RuggerRadge2611]

Aye Lee Jones is a bit of a girl... even for a back.

Sure Visser doesn't front up in the tackle but he doesn't shy away from it with the ball in hand.

This is perhaps a little unfair on him, he wasn't too bad last season but this season he has been gash.

[bsando]

haha that is pretty harsh RDW! Harsh, but fair.

[RDW]

Slightly off topic but my dad was talking to Iwan Tukalo at an Edinburgh game a few months ago (he played rugby with him for Royal High back in the day) and Tukalo is Lee Jones’ wining Scotland foundation mentor. Anyway he spent most of the game going on about how amazing a winger Lee Jones is – how fast he is, how he’s great under the high ball and has a great work rate etc. and yapping on about all the hard work he’s done with him and all the words of wisdom he’s passed on.

Shows how deluded some people are when they have some kind of personal connection with a player!

[majesticimperialman]

I do believe that the team will be announce on thursday.

Manu is out so i think it will be Barrit and Twelvetrees in the centre. Burns is also out which leave Flood and Farrall at 10. Corbs is out and Henry Thomas the sale prop as been called up as cover.

I was hoping that England would go in the 6ns with the same team that played against NZ, but with the injuries that England have had it puts a different out look on the first game against Scotland. If England win and win well. then it will so that the squad is looking good.

England cannot afford to start slow this year like they normaly do. They have blow Scotland off the field. Or it will make that win against NZ look like a one off game.( NZ not full fit) due to the nuro virous.

[Imperialbigdave]

Slightly off topic but my dad was talking to Iwan Tukalo at an Edinburgh game a few months ago (he played rugby with him for Royal High back in the day) and Tukalo is Lee Jones’ wining Scotland foundation mentor. Anyway he spent most of the game going on about how amazing a winger Lee Jones is – how fast he is, how he’s great under the high ball and has a great work rate etc. and yapping on about all the hard work he’s done with him and all the words of wisdom he’s passed on.

Shows how deluded some people are when they have some kind of personal connection with a player!

If Tukalo could score 15 tries in 37 games for scotland with his pace, Lee Jones shouldve carved up the 6N. Unfortuantely as it turns out, hes cack.

[Chjw131]

Totally agree with Radge - I think that most Scotland fans are hoping we will see Hartley (who will ideally stick to the Danny Grewcock edition of Debrett's and get himself carded) and Morgan (we have enough daisycutters to bring down youthful exuberance) instead of the superior but less fashionable Easter.

Thats lovely.

Look ive said it on these boards a few times and ill say it again. Easter is done. Stick a fork in him. He is gone as an international force in rugby union.

English supporters (even Quins) will remember Easter getting owned repeatedly on the gainline as a ball carrier for us and on some occasions getting driven backwards. It didnt help his cause that he had the likes of Mears and Borthwick getting the same treatment in the same pack but there it is.

Strong metre gaining ball carrying is kind of job1 for an international 8 so please spare us all the nonsense about Easter playing for England ever again.

Thanks.

Love this Tri. A proper answer to the 'Nick Easter Campaign'.

[Chjw131]

With Tuilagi out i'd fully expect to see Joseph come straight back in. Last year we saw the dreaded Barritt/Farrell midfield but hopefully Lancs has learnt his lesson there and we won't be seeing it again.

Joseph should hopefully feel more at ease in the 6N than facing the monster midfield of SA. A tough and brutal baptism where he found little space to show his talents.

I think we could see 36 on the bench but possibly in place of Flood as Lancs won't have two FH on the bench. Tough one to call selection-wise on the bench front though.

[alive555]

Interesting looks like only 6 players from last year will likely start

2012 2013

R Lamont Hogg
Lee Jones Maitland
Evans Visser
S lamont S Lamont / Horne /
De Luca Scott
Parks Jackson
Cusiter Laidlaw
Denton Beattie
Rennie Denton or Stroker
Brown Brown
Gray Gray
Hamilton Hamilton
Jacobsen Grant
Ford Hall
Murray Murray

[Duty281]

1) Vunipola
2) T Youngs
3) Cole
4) Parling
5) Launchbury
6) Wood
7) Robshaw
8) Morgan
9) B Youngs
10) Farrell
11) Foden
12) Barritt
13) Joseph
14) Ashton
15) Goode

I would go with that 15, expecting the game to be tight for the opening 20 minutes then England to pull away and win by a comfortable margin.

[George Carlin]

Slightly off topic but my dad was talking to Iwan Tukalo at an Edinburgh game a few months ago (he played rugby with him for Royal High back in the day) and Tukalo is Lee Jones’ wining Scotland foundation mentor. Anyway he spent most of the game going on about how amazing a winger Lee Jones is – how fast he is, how he’s great under the high ball and has a great work rate etc. and yapping on about all the hard work he’s done with him and all the words of wisdom he’s passed on.

Shows how deluded some people are when they have some kind of personal connection with a player!

If Tukalo could score 15 tries in 37 games for scotland with his pace, Lee Jones shouldve carved up the 6N. Unfortuantely as it turns out, hes cack.

Christ on a bike - Tukalo was one of the slowest wingers I've ever seen and unfortunately he was Scottish. I've had bowel movements that were quicker.

He obviously (a) hasn't been watching Jones play competitively this season or (b) he isn't aware that modern wingers aren't 11 stone soaking wet any more.

[funnyExiledScot]

Jones has played "competitively" this season? Looked pretty uncompetitive to me! He's been completely eclipsed at Edinburgh by Fife and Sep Visser. He needs to go back to the Sevens squad for some confidence, and sort out his defence.

[123456789]

I have a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach about this match.

I have read the column on espn by the scotsman and i have to agree with it a little save for the fact that when he denigrates Marler's peformance vs the wallabies he glosses over the fact that Marler was carrying a 5 week knee injury during the match.

Look at how these teams match up though and the scots match us up front. The weather will play its part and the scots and the 6N itself has this wild contrary nature which always throws up the nasty results here and there for supposed favourites.

I have also read Andy Robinson's comments about the match and they do not fill me with joy.

For once the scots have firepower in the backs in visser, hogg and maitland.

I feel very bad about this match. I can see our inexeperienced guys getting frustrated at not turning possession into points and discipline folding. I can see the scots growing into their tasks.

I see a scottish win and it makes me want to puke.

Why?

Because Johnson has already annoyed the hell out of me.

Because it has a horrible inevitability about it after the fortunes of the respective sides over the autumn.

Because knowing scotland they'll then go on to lose to every other side in the comp just to annoy the feck out of everyone.

I'm thinking about boycotting watching this fixture.

Maybe Norovirus?

[Imperialbigdave]

Because knowing scotland they'll then go on to lose to every other side in the comp just to annoy the feck out of everyone.

You know it Baby!

[bsando]

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/top-rugby-stories/who-would-be-in-your-scotland-xv-to-play-england-1-2763087

SCOTT Johnson has cut his squad down to 25 and out go four forwards, Alasdair Dickinson, Chris Fusaro, Ryan Wilson and Richie Vernon, and five backs, Tom Heathcote, Sean Kennedy, Alex Dunbar, Duncan Weir and Tommy Seymour, who will all now join the Scotland A squad.

Alasdair Strokosch returns after the birth of his second child.


Hmm so no Seymour. That almost definitely means that Evans will either be on the bench or starting vs England. Obviously none of us have seen how he has been performing in training with squad, but I think its a bad move personally.

[123456789]

Maybe Manu was upset by Corrys comments!

What did Corry say?

This:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2268818/Six-Nations-2013-Martin-Corry-Imports-damage-Engliand-rugby.html

I'm not too sure about their figures on any other front than Scotland but Sean Kennedy, Ruaraidh Jackson and Rob Harley are very Scottish and have at least one Scottish parent and have lived in Scotland since a young age; I'm pretty sure a lot of the Welsh guys are similar.

[RuggerRadge2611]

Grant, MacArthur, His grace Rev Murray
Gray, Hamilton
Brown, Denton & Beattie at 8.

Laidlaw, Jackson
Scott, Horne
Visser, Maitland , Hogg

That's the Xv I would like to see.

Apologies with the shabbiness of this post. Using the wife's iPad and its baws

[bsando]

Apology not accepted radge, I have an Ipad and I can write just fine on it. Did i also mention that I am in fact a shrew and I type with my hands and feet?

I concur with your team Radge, although I'd have all glasgow 9/10

I just know Evans will be in there somewhere, I can feel it my bones.

[Solid8]

Agree with the Glasgow 9/10.

As far as Evans goes, don't f@#king jinx it!

[EnglishReign]

OP, can you please update the England squad with the one I posted?

Seeing the likes of Stevens and Mears in there is bringing on palpitations.

[alive555]

Maybe Manu was upset by Corrys comments!

What did Corry say?

This:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2268818/Six-Nations-2013-Martin-Corry-Imports-damage-Engliand-rugby.html

"New research by The Mail on Sunday....."

Always a scary start to an article!

Spot on brad barrits parents came from Rhodesia not England - therfore he qualifies under residency Not from his parents

So not only do eng have 40,000 players they have also by percent the most number of non eng born or paternally qualified players in their current squad !

[alive555]

Who is likely starter at hooker for Scotland anybody ? Ford mcarthur hall ?

[Solid8]

Macarthur, Ford's head has not been in the best place of late.

[123456789]

Who is likely starter at hooker for Scotland anybody ? Ford mcarthur hall ?

Ford is probably our best and most experienced hooker and on form could be in with a shout for the Lions however so far this season he has been a complete waste of space and his lineouts have been about as straight as Gok Wan. MacArthur has been fantastic this season he carries well and hits his targets at lineout time. Hall is my least favourite simply because the other two, on their day, add something that he doesn't.

[alive555]

What's MacArthur like scrum time. Ford is a bit of a gym monkey so don't want to weaken our scrum whilst strengthening our line out

[RuggerRadge2611]

English reign I'll sort teams out tomorrow bud

[123456789]

What's MacArthur like scrum time. Ford is a bit of a gym monkey so don't want to weaken our scrum whilst strengthening our line out

The Glasgow scrum butchered the Edinburgh one and Grant will start as well as Murray who's a better tighthead than the Glasgow ones. Also a pack that will most likely feature Denton, Beattie, Brown, Gray and Hamilton will not suffer when it comes to weight, I'm quite confident except for our midfield which is our weakpoint, I expect that Scotland will attempt to play an all out attack game similar to Edinburgh's last year given that Johnson head coach and Robinson claims he has something the English won't accept and in recent years we've tried to take them in an arm wrestle.

[George Carlin]

MacArthur has been just fine packing down with Grant against Mooj and Tiny in the HC so I have no fears for him. That's not the point though. The point is that Ford has been dialling in his performances throughout this season and that's just not acceptable.

Given England's mythical 40,000 available players, I fully expect as a courtesy Glasgow's facourite Yorkshireman Mike Cusack to be allowed to become SQ in about a year without any overtures from Stuart Lancaster when he finally works out what a secret weapon he is. Oops. 'Was'.

[EnglishReign]

English reign I'll sort teams out tomorrow bud

Cheers lad

[alive555]

My starting 15

Grant
Mcarthur
Reverend
Gray
Penalty magnet
Dentweezy
Brown
Beattie
Laidlaw
Jacko
Scott
Schlong
Visser
Maitland
Hogg

Kellogs
Stroker
Horne
Pyrgos
Not Evans pls
Hall
Harley
Cross

Missed anybody ?

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Cross - FFS why is he anywhere near the match day 23? Guess he is the only one left that side of the scrum eh ? Oh well he must be better than that Traynor guy or Dickinson

[IanBru]

Missed anybody ?

You'll need a loosehead on the bench, so lose one of Strokosch or Harley.

[UlstermaninGlasgow]

Just realised, Moray Low is obviously the LH cover as Dickinson has been dropped! Not the worst thing in the world but it does mean that Cross is on the bench... The sooner Welsh is fit the better!

[123456789]

My team would be:

1. Grant
2. MacArthur
3. Murray
4. Gray
5. Hamilton
6. Brown
7. Denton
8. Beattie
9. Laidlaw
10. Jackson
11. Visser
12. Scott
13. Lamont
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

16. Low
17. Hall
18. Cross
19. Kellock
20. Harley
21. Pyrgos
22. Horne
23. Evans

I would have kept Dunbar, Weir and Fusaro in the squad and started them, Jackson is the on form fly-half but that is a position in which we need consistency and I think that Weir is far superior to Jackson in almost every way on form, Dunbar needs to start getting international experience and now Tuilagi's out playing against Farrell or Joseph would have been a walk in the park, Fusaro's hunger and drive means that as far as I'm concerned he'd have been great in an England-Scotland match.

[IanBru]

Just realised, Moray Low is obviously the LH cover as Dickinson has been dropped! Not the worst thing in the world but it does mean that Cross is on the bench... The sooner Welsh is fit the better!

Welsh scored two tries for Ayr against Heriot's at the weekend, so at least he's playing! I can see him playing for Warriors next week against Zebre.

[Glas a du]

Ah, they will never again see the likes of the 1,000 posts...

[UlstermaninGlasgow]

I'd imagine so. Probably from the bench if truth be told. Fusaro should be fit too as will Kalman and maybe Coo too... Could be a barracking for Zebre...

[Glas a du]

Maybe Manu was upset by Corrys comments!

What did Corry say?

This:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2268818/Six-Nations-2013-Martin-Corry-Imports-damage-Engliand-rugby.html

He's a fine one, his mum's from Llandeilo!

[reallybored]

Scotland have to try and unsettle England by disrupting them at every set-piece, tacking contest and breakdown.

If England settle into a rhythm we're in trouble.

I'd like to see;

1 - Grant (works hard in the loose and scrummages well, plus he's in form)
2 - MacArthur (inexperienced but in form and will graft)
3 - Murray (still our best TH and scrummaging well for Worcester, he'll have a real go at Marler)
4 - Gray (struggling with Sale but he's a class player and will be used more effectively with Scotland)
5 - Hamilton (leading Gloucester well, adds real grunt in the scrum and works a lot harder in the loose now)
6 - Harley (in form, doesn't stop for 80 minutes and would be an utter nuisance at the breakdown)
7 - Brown (experienced and playing good rugby for Saracens, will get down and do the dirty work)
8 - Beattie (revitalised, more subtle than Denton but just as destructive when carrying)
9 - Laidlaw (lacking time at 9 but he's got a cool head, probes well around the fringes and kicks points)
10 - Jackson (mixed season but with Laidlaw kicking he can just relax and try get the backline moving)
11 - Visser (quiet lately for a poor Edinburgh team but if he gets a sniff of the line he'll take it)
12 - Scott (struggled this season but will be solid, has the ability to break but doesn't seem to want the ball)
13 - Lamont (a blunt instrument but is reliable, relishes the physical stuff and can provide some direction)
14 - Maitland (an unknown quantity, solid rather than spectacular for Glasgow but there is obvious ability)
15 - Hogg (hasn't been as sharp this year but looks more solid at the back and is still keen to attack)

16 - Ford (desperately needs to go up several gears if he wants to be a Lion again)
17 - Cross (strange not to keep a loose-head, the Dr will carrying effectively but scrummage ineffectively)
18 - Low (been alright for Glasgow but not quite consistent enough, would be a major examination of him)
19 - Kellock (in very good form and would be happy if he was starting)
20 - Denton (guilty of forcing it this season, but he'd be a handful with 20 minutes to go)
21 - Pyrgos (sharp service and a good kicking game, solid enough replacement)
22 - Horne (form has been good for Glasgow but I'm not convinced he's International standard yet)
23 - Evans (inconsistent and usually quiet for Scotland but has experience and the ability to beat a man)

[ChequeredJersey]

Tri, I still worry about your levels of pessimism which border on suicidal.

Hard match this will be. Scotland will be up for it but I can't envisage them getting a win at HQ. England by 7.

Goode
Brown
Joseph
Barritt
Ashton
Farrell
Youngs
Morgan
Robshaw
Wood
Parling
Launchbury
Cole
Youngs
Marler

Vunipola, Hartley, Wilson, Botha, Haskell, Care, Flood, Foden

Will be the England 23

[bsando]

Just watching highlights from England vs Scotland 2011, looking at the team who played against England that day...

Chunk, Ford, Low, Gray, Kellock, Hines, Barclay, Brown, Lawson, Jackson, Lamont, Ansbro, Evans, Danielli, Paterson.

Score 22-16 with England scoring their try from lazy tackling by Evans at approx. 67 minutes. Note, Foden nearly scores a cracking try from an earlier lazy tackle from Evans, but Paterson makes an amazing tackle to stop him.

Team likely to play England this weekend... Grant, MacArthur, Murray, Gray, Hamilton, Brown, Denton, Beattie, Laidlaw/Pyrgos (both better than Lawson), Jackson, Visser, Scott, Lamont or Horne, Maitland, Hogg

Of the players who represented England that day the following will not play this year... Easter, Haskell, Corbisero (due to injury), Hape, Tindall, Cueto.

So thats potentially 6-9 replacements for England vs 11 for Scotland.

Front row:
ENG - Similar to 2011, SCO - Improved props, especially Grant in for chunk.
2nd row:
ENG - Could be similar, SCO - Could be similar, likely Kellock out for Hamilton
Backrow:
ENG - Changes, improvement, SCO - Two different, Improvement
9/10:
ENG - Improvement with Farrell as an option, SCO - Jackson, improved 9
Centres: ENG - Changes, improvement, SCO - changes, improvement
Back Three:
ENG: Ashton still in, cueto out, Foden ?, slight change, but an improvement in my view.
SCO: Changes, Danielli, Evans & Paterson out, Visser, Maitland and Hogg in. Vast improvement.

So on the whole, Scotland have definitely improved their props and back three, catching up to England in terms of quality of players compared with last times visit to Twickers. It was still a close game last time, mainly due to Scotland's defence and forwards. However, England didn't play their best that time 2 years ago and if they come out with a big performance to back up their NZ victory (which i think they will) all of these improvements in the Scottish team could mean jack at the end of the day. Also, Scotland's defence has been a shambles as of late. Yet if England play anything like they did 2 years ago, Scotland will have a good chance of winning if they put in a big performance.

[Breadvan]

Prefer Foden at Fb but Goode has played well there.. This fixture does make me nervous. Altho I think SL will have the team well grounded and prepared. Also, being an O's supporter, Johnson talks a good game but doesn't translate that to his players.
It wouldn't hurt printing off Telfers rant in the Mail today for the Eng dressing room...

[ChequeredJersey]

Fair play for printing his opinion but does he not understand how really deeply stupid it is to lambast rugby stars for being too easily swayed by the press then continuing to insult them and write their motivational speech for them in the press? That kind of article is ideal to psych up England

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