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)

[mystiroakey]

visser your dutch- play for your own team!

Not according to the residency rule which I think England have benefitted from too...

[eirebilly]

I am really suprised by England here, going back to the school boy errors. When running the ball, England look very strong.

[eirebilly]

Ashton is being a real pig and getting up the noses of the Scottish. It will either result in him getting a yellow card or winning one for England.

[ChequeredJersey]

Come on!!!!!!

[Cari]

They should score here now.

Ashton is in...TMO decision...

[mystiroakey]

Youngs is playing nicely today.

The rest of em need to calm it abit...




ASHTON>>>>>>


but 0/10 for diving style

[nathan]

Brilliant finish by Ashton!

[Cari]

Yeah that's a try.

14-8 at 30 minutes.

[nathan]

Good to see the nice pass from marler.

[BamBam]

Good finish there, liking the way he has been coming off his wing today

[nobbled]

2 more from Ashton please!

[Cari]

16-8 at 31 minutes.

[Barney McGrew did it]

I just can't get excited if there's no Splash

[nobbled]

Hogg is really impressive.

[nathan]

2 Scots in at the side.

[eirebilly]

It was high but not bad, 3 more points for England

[nathan]

It was high but not bad, 3 more points for England

Yeah pen at most.

[Cari]

19-8 at 38 minutes. Scotland on the attack now...it would be game on if they scored. They have a penalty.

[eirebilly]

That could have gone Englands way that... 3 points for Scotland though

[Cari]

Scotland get a penalty.

19-11 at HT.

[Barney McGrew did it]

For an apparently defensively-set side England showing a lot of attacking intent. But some shocking handling and tackling. How about concentrating on the basics in the 2nd half.

[nathan]

Good half to watch.

[doctor_grey]

Really angry with Brown for Scotland's try

agree. Lummox, really.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

An entertaing Calcutta match and tries from both sides. I feel as though I've stepped into another dimension...

[majesticimperialman]

Very good game so far tighter game that many people thought it was going to be. England deserving of their lead at half time. Will be interesting in the second half.

[EnglishReign]

Tight on the scoreboard but England looking very dangerous, until the inevitable knock on. 36 a good fit for the offloading game.

[nathan]

Based on this game and last I'd had Ben youngs as the lions 9

[Duty281]

England trying to be a bit too expansive at the moment, there are some frustrating errors creeping in. Very silly kick from Brown which gave away 5 points, but on the whole, England are looking the better team and should score a couple more tries in the second half to add to Ashton's fantastic finish.

[mystiroakey]

Really angry with Brown for Scotland's try

agree. Lummox, really.

ermm.. every time brown has had the ball he has blown the defense away-He allways gains an extra 5 yards over others..

Yeah he clearly messed up in that instance.. But jeas- I am glad he is playing- but lets be honest its not his position!!

[tigertattie]

Quick ball really is the key to winning matches.

[ChequeredJersey]

Really angry with Brown for Scotland's try

agree. Lummox, really.

To be fair, he doesn't have any experience at all in defending as a winger and not as last line of defence. I said I was worried it might happen

[nobbled]

36 looking good. Farrell looking sharp and energetic. Ashton scoring...
lots of positives.
Scotland still dangerous - look very threatening when they have possession.

Loving this game!

[doctor_grey]

Really angry with Brown for Scotland's try

agree. Lummox, really.

ermm.. every time brown has had the ball he has blown the defense away-He allways gains an extra 5 yards over others..

Yeah he clearly messed up in that instance.. But jeas- I am glad he is playing- but lets be honest its not his position!!

No question Brown is a fantastic runner. But I think the rest of his game is dangerous (for his team). Its always his decision making, really. I think he has so mcu talent, but the brain doesn't match up.

[eirebilly]

My god, Robshaw is everywhere

[nathan]

Forward pass?

[eirebilly]

Try for 36

[Cari]

36 is over!

24-11 at 42 minutes.

[mystiroakey]

12 trees!!


whoop whoop

de de da de de dah

[R!skysports]

Forward pass

[EnglishReign]

Billy, I love you

[Cari]

Doesn't matter if it was or wasn't...it's allowed.

26-11 at 43 minutes.

Well anyone playing the drinking game must be rat arrsed by now...

[Guest]

Pulling away!!! get in!!

Twelvetrees has played well and deserves that try!!

On comes Haskell for Morgan

[Cari]

Ben Morgan off looks like an ankle injury. Haskell on.

[George Carlin]

Oh my god - the most forward pass ever.

[eirebilly]

Billy, I love you

Steady on there, i like women

[Barney McGrew did it]

Gonna call him 13T from now on.

[nathan]

Hope this isn't a sign of England dropping off.

[Cari]

Billy, I love you

Steady on there, i like women

[Geordie]

Been impressed with 36

[Geordie]

Best second row in the world

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