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)

[AlastairW]

Interview with Marler leading up to Calcutta Cup at Penny Hill Park:

http://www.quins.co.uk/matchdaytv/?play=media&id=14260

Interviewers a little sycophantic for my liking but it's bit for a spot on a club websight, not a major news network.

[GLove39]

A result in from Newcastle. Scotland 13 - Saxons 9.
An omen for tomorrow!?!

[RuggerRadge2611]

Well last year it was 37-0 to Scotland

Hardly compelling evidence glove!

[GLove39]

*35-0 and I will cling to anything that gives me hope for tomorrow!

[funnyExiledScot]

I still can't believe Dougie Hall is starting. Am struggling to get over that.

Frankly I'd rather Steven Lawrie from the Scotland A side.

Not confident, but then again I didn't see Scotland A winning, and I didn't see the Scotland U20 side being in the game with 10 minutes to go.

[HammerofThunor]

Interview with Marler leading up to Calcutta Cup at Penny Hill Park:

http://www.quins.co.uk/matchdaytv/?play=media&id=14260

Interviewers a little sycophantic for my liking but it's bit for a spot on a club websight, not a major news network.

Really good responses from Marler. Shows either a level head or good media training. Either is good.

[Brian Moores Twin]

Man for man there isn't a lot in it.

Prediction England 26 Scotland 17

[NeilyBroon]

hm I'd go with England 20-14 Scotland

SURPRISE ME THOUGH SCOTLAND!

[RDW]

Right - final post on here before the game.


COME ON SCOTLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Ahem.

[Hood83]

Really quite concerned about this game. That is a MASSIVE Scottish pack. Historically if we don't smash Scotland up-front, it's a long day at the office for us. I can see that being the case here. I also think our scrum may come under a little pressure, another scenario that seems to panic us if we play the Scots.

In fact it's a massive Scottish team really. Lamont and Visser are big lads and Maitland's a class act. The defence will be up very quick and without Manu to make yards from a standing start, I don't think we have enough a)natural invention or b) well drilled back-line moves to damage Scotland unless our pack has sucked in defenders.

If Brown's on the wing I think they may also look to target his positioning, which isn't yet perfect.

I think it's going to be very close and no more than 5 in it.

[Duty281]

Sorry, I can't see past an English win here. The weather's good, the Scottish kicking game won't be a problem, England are better at the set-piece, and England are at home. I can see a very very good result for this English side today.

[ChequeredJersey]

England 27 - Scotland 18

[nathan]

Hope this game lives up to the Wales/Ireland

[yappysnap]

Bloody hell I hate the BBC's over the top build ups.

[Duty281]

Just one more post before kick off then: Come on England!

[Cari]

Nathan - yep I hope this isn't a one-sided affair too.

Up Scotland!

[yappysnap]

I also hate bagpipes played badly!

[Shifty]

Now were gonna see the value of Scott Johnson as a coach, I'm not hopeful for Scotland at all to be honest.

Instinct tells me their going to be blown off the park.

[Cari]

So those of you playing the Drinking Game can get even more pished now...I've already heard several Inverdull clichés...

[Cari]

Oh I HATE Clive Woodward...why? BBC? Why?! I can think of much more interesting Englishmen to have on your panel.

[sickofwendy]

That's why he's there,to annoy the Scots.seems to be working.

[mystiroakey]

or the welsh!!!!

[yappysnap]

Oh I HATE Clive Woodward...why? BBC? Why?! I can think of much more interesting Englishmen to have on your panel.

Woodward is still a mile ahead of Inverdull and Guscott!

Hopefully one day they'll get Healy or Greenwood in there.

[eirebilly]

I dont mind Woodward to be honest Cari, would much prefer him than Guscott. Brian Moore used to annoy me but he has become one of my favourite commentators...

[Cari]

Well, Woodward doesn't seem to be doing much so we won't see him often. I like Moore, he's quite amusing especially when he starts getting on his high horse about something. Him and Eddie Butler together are like Statler and Waldorf from The Muppets.

[eirebilly]

I like Lancaster, he knows that Scotland have the ability to perform and perform well + they are hard to beat. Could be a very close game or England by 20...

[stub]

Well, Woodward doesn't seem to be doing much so we won't see him often. I like Moore, he's quite amusing especially when he starts getting on his high horse about something. Him and Eddie Butler together are like Statler and Waldorf from The Muppets.

I agree - Moore and Butler make for an entertaining pair. It is particularly amusing when Moore goes off on one!

[sickofwendy]

Not many tries in the England team,hope we don't choke our chances.

[Barney McGrew did it]

The build just needs a bit more chat about the NZ game for me.

[yappysnap]

The build just needs a bit more chat about the NZ game for me.

Yea I know, i've almost forgotten about it now

[stub]

The build just needs a bit more chat about the NZ game for me.

[Cari]

Oh god they've got a singer in to murder the anthems again.

Billy - you'll be shouting for Visser then?

Schlooooong!

[nathan]

Gray's only played 11 games, I thought he had played loads more!

[eirebilly]

Of course i will Cari, the Dutchman will score today

[nathan]

Of course i will Cari, the Dutchman will score today

Good to see other nations are catching England up lol

[Cari]

I hope he does Billy. If they can get the ball out to him, he'll be the man to finish things off.

[eirebilly]

In all seriousness, i cant see England loosing this. They are a very solid side. They may not be spectacular but they should comfortably win this.

[Cari]

What is it with bad hair in the English squad? Farrell - have a look at yourself and get a haircut!

I wish the RFU wouldn't hire these karaoke singers for the anthems. let the fans sing.

[mystiroakey]

That singer is the hotest girl alive!!

[nathan]

That singer is the hotest girl alive!!

I know, how dare you above wish to change her!

[doctor_grey]

That singer is the hotest girl alive!!

Love England, then?

[Cari]

That singer is the hotest girl alive!!

I don't disagree, but if she just sat somewhere and was quiet then i wouldn't mind...

[eirebilly]

If only Visser could tackle

[mystiroakey]

3-0

[Cari]

3-0 at five minutes after a Farrell penalty.

[nathan]

1st touch by 36 not a great one. Will be interesting to see the scrum

[EnglishReign]

Good start, big Ben

[nathan]

36 passed to the wrong team, hopefully he settles.

[Cari]

England on the attack now. It's all them at the moment.

[mystiroakey]

argggg

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