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)

[Cari]

No try given. The BBC even had to change their score board and they played the music in the stadium.

Wasn't Youngs doing a bit of pointy fingering there and lost it? Anyway Hartley's on for the naughty boy now.

[hodge]

Easy! Easy! Easy!

Yes England!

[eirebilly]

What a pass by Farrell

[Cari]

...and Youngs redeems himself.

31-11 not really worth changing the board...

[mystiroakey]

IS ANYONE GONNA admit i was right about FARRELLL


what a pass!!!!!!!!!!

[EnglishReign]

Could've stopped it earlier. Poor officiating. Yes Parling

[nathan]

No try given. The BBC even had to change their score board and they played the music in the stadium.

Wasn't Youngs doing a bit of pointy fingering there and lost it? Anyway Hartley's on for the naughty boy now.

Love it how everything you say is a negative about England.....

[Barney McGrew did it]

Is the cameraman drunk. Missed the non-try and the high tackle

[Cari]

I don't care how good Farrell is, that's a bad haircut. You're a rugby player lad, not on Hollyoaks!

31-11 at 55 minutes.

[hodge]

still 25 minutes as well, we could be looking at a big score here...

[Geordie]

I dont think Farrell is a fan favorite yet but he is slowly changing opinions...nice vision that ford couldnt show last night....

[Cari]

You're welcome Nathan. Glad someone's happy

[nathan]

Why so many changes?

[Cari]

I dont think Farrell is a fan favorite yet but he is slowly changing opinions...nice vision that ford couldnt show last night....

Really? Why not? His kicking's very good.

[mystiroakey]

I dont think Farrell is a fan favorite yet but he is slowly changing opinions...nice vision that ford couldnt show last night....

My GF just said he thinks he is the beckham of Rugby!!

[Cari]

Scotland's indisipline is going to cost them...Roland threatening to card someone...not that it makes any difference at the rate England are going, they're running away with this no matter how many Scottish players are on.

[NeilyBroon]

Please say this isn't going to happen against Italy...

[Cari]

This isn't going to happen against Italy Neily

[Cari]

Another try coming by the looks...ooh no! Turnover! Why does Visser keep kicking it away though? He's a good runner.

[nathan]

Scotland's indisipline is going to cost them...Roland threatening to card someone...not that it makes any difference at the rate England are going, they're running away with this no matter how many Scottish players are on.

Think that warning for the scrum, going from free kicks to pens.

[nathan]

How is that a pen to Scotland, they were straight of their feet!

[tigertattie]

England are fully deserved of their lead. Scottish defence and particularly the tackling is shocking. But how many English forward passes and offsides is that useless ref going to miss?

[Barney McGrew did it]

Can't see what Goode is achieving - Brown to FB and bring in a winger for the next game.

[mystiroakey]

Can't see what Goode is achieving - Brown to FB and bring in a winger for the next game.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Johnson was right to identify Scottish defence as their main weakness. Unfortunately it seems he's done very little to address those defensive frailties.

Plaudits to England who soaked up the early pressure and has looked threatening with the ball on attack. A good performance and their feet appear on the ground after the media attention after the NZ game. Sterner opposition to come but they look very promising and a complete side.

[Cari]

I thought the Scottish 12 was going to get sent off then...high tackle.

Flood on for Farrell.

[Cari]

See, Visser passes and there's no one there to receive it...

[Cari]

What a try by Hogg!!!

31-18 after conversion at 71 minutes.

[nathan]

Brown knock on to Scotland try....

[mystiroakey]

Come on England I need the 15 pt win!!

[doctor_grey]

way too many errors by England on the Scotland line. England deserve to be pu nished with that try because they were not smart.

[Manu's Boxing Coach]

Care and Ashton should both get a rollocking for their part in that try.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Hogg just reward. One of Scotland's best performers today. He's a class act on attack.

[Cari]

Good chase and finish by Hogg though to be fair. I thought he'd lose it.

[mystiroakey]

hogg and visser look quality.

If i was a scotland fan i would be kinda positive tbh

[Cari]

ooh dear Brown was too hesitant there...penalty Scotland.

[nathan]

Scotland were off there Frak feet!??

[Barney McGrew did it]

For the love of God, when did kicking to touch become illegal. Or has Brown been banned from doing it.

[Cari]

Oh dear Scotland butcher another chance...silly kicking away. Max Evans and Duncan Weir on now.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

That was a clear holding penalty nathan. Great Scottish chase and Brown took the HP option.

[Geordie]

Why does lancs make subs for the sake of it. Can top players not play for 80 mins!!!!!!!

[mystiroakey]

add beatie to the scottish that has impressed me!


2 quality games of rugby with loads of points

very happy.. Makes a change doesnt it!

[Cari]

Good save by Ritchie Gray, but England look sure to get another...maybe not.

[Cari]

Oh Beattie...if you'd kept hold of that...

[kiakahaaotearoa]

It's been a great start indeed. Lots of attacking and running. The 4N was often a defensive war of attrition last year. That said, some of the defending in this game hasn't been up to much and Scotland's defence in particular has hurt them. Nothing wrong with the attack though and perhaps that's the reason for the lax defence. Maybe they're not used to this pace of rugby.

[Cari]

Farrell is MOTM

[mystiroakey]

very well deserved MOTM..


and england get that 15 pt plus win phew!

[Cari]

Care gets in at the 80th minute.

38-18 FT. Well done England and commiserations Scotland. I'm not looking forward to Wales playing England. We'll get hammered based on today's matches.

[TJ1]

Scotland lost that at the breakdown I think - allowed England too much quality ball. England didn't have to create a lot really just keep grinding away. Farrell a good game indeed.

At lesat Scotland played the full 80 mins and scored a couple of tries - a few guys looking to be coming into some form

[NeilyBroon]

well England-France will be a great game, and I think I'll have to get myself a nappy for Scotland-Italy

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