The Scotland Post-Match Incredulity Thread - Daylight robbery

[TJ1]

First topic message reminder :

[Morgannwg]

Perhaps the bookies will see it the other way. Given most recent form I have Wales as slight favourites. Forget home advantage it means nout in the 6 Nations as everyone beats everyone home and away.

[alexgmacdonald]

Scott Johnson is fast becoming a favourite of mine. I really admire his openness and honesty about the games.

I also think he's given the Scottish boys a deserved kick up the bum to get them going. He seems to have got them really playing as a team and for each other.

Also, Kelly Brown seems to be a good choice of captain. Inspiring by leading from the front, epitomised by his bloody face and broken nose.

Will we see a return of the killer b's against Wales?

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

It was a bit frustrating that Laidlaw constantly box kicked when giving the ball to Jacko looked a better option. Laidlaw game manages very well so presumably it was a pre discussed tactic. Or does he not trust Jacko to use possession and go forward. Laidlaw looked more confident when Meatball came on tbh.

[NeilyBroon]

Scott Johnson is fast becoming a favourite of mine. I really admire his openness and honesty about the games.

I also think he's given the Scottish boys a deserved kick up the bum to get them going. He seems to have got them really playing as a team and for each other.

Also, Kelly Brown seems to be a good choice of captain. Inspiring by leading from the front, epitomised by his bloody face and broken nose.

Will we see a return of the killer b's against Wales?

I hope we do, much as I like Rob Harley (he is a top quality player) we need a specialist openside a week on Saturday, and Barclay had a great game against Ulster last week. Harley would be an excellent impact sub, and imo should replace Denton on the bench.

We also need to change our centres up a bit, as Ireland proved its an area of defensive weakness, I'd swap Dunbar or Horne in. I guess we'll see what Johnson does but expect to see much the same squad, it's always difficult to drop members of a winning team.

[RDW]

I have removed some posts so we can just talk about the rugby. Those involved should check their PMs. Any complaints reply via PM so we can leave this thread to talk about rugby. RDW

[100%beefy]

I have my own views on MOD, but my friendly advice is PM them this stuff and I hope the MOD concerned may realise his 'refusal to tolerate' comment is just as provocative - from an observer's point of view - as anything else in that exchange and maybe should also have been PM.

[RDW]

Scott Johnson is fast becoming a favourite of mine. I really admire his openness and honesty about the games.

I also think he's given the Scottish boys a deserved kick up the bum to get them going. He seems to have got them really playing as a team and for each other.

Also, Kelly Brown seems to be a good choice of captain. Inspiring by leading from the front, epitomised by his bloody face and broken nose.

Will we see a return of the killer b's against Wales?

I hope we do, much as I like Rob Harley (he is a top quality player) we need a specialist openside a week on Saturday, and Barclay had a great game against Ulster last week. Harley would be an excellent impact sub, and imo should replace Denton on the bench.

We also need to change our centres up a bit, as Ireland proved its an area of defensive weakness, I'd swap Dunbar or Horne in. I guess we'll see what Johnson does but expect to see much the same squad, it's always difficult to drop members of a winning team.

Back to the rugby. As much as Weir, Barclay and Dunbar might make a difference, I can’t see him changing a winning team.
I’d like Weir and Dunbar to come in for Jackson and Shlong, but I can’t see it happening. I’d like to think Dunbar will come in for the squashed goblin at least, but that is yet to happen!

[alexgmacdonald]

Yeah I think Dunbar will come onto the bench after a great all round performance against dragons and a solid defensive performance against ulster.

I'd love to see Barclay in the 23 as he seems to be hitting some form at the moment

[Glas a du]

I have removed some posts so we can just talk about the rugby. Those involved should check their PMs. Any complaints reply via PM so we can leave this thread to talk about rugby. RDW

Wumming on a Scotland/Ireland thread? Well I never...

[tigertattie]

Here is a question for you

Why is Nick De Luca not in the squad? He was playing for Edinburgh at the weekend so he must be fit to play!

I think Scott and De Luca would be a more potent midfield that Soctt and Shlong (bless him)

And Barcs needs to get a bench place at least.

And his dog needs to be made mascot

[RuggerRadge2611]

DeLuca wasn't great against the Ospreys and got red carded for another brain fart. He wasn't good enough tattie and I am normally one of his biggest supporters.

I don't think Lamont is the answer and I would start Dunbar tbh.

[alexgmacdonald]

What do you think of Stuart Hogg kicking for goal? He seemed to strike it pretty sweetly but it just didn't have the legs. Would like to see if he can consistently do that for Glasgow and maybe that could be an option going forward

[Solid8]

What do you think of Stuart Hogg kicking for goal? He seemed to strike it pretty sweetly but it just didn't have the legs. Would like to see if he can consistently do that for Glasgow and maybe that could be an option going forward

It was a brave attempt and from where I was sitting it was pretty close.

Do you think that Hogg is on 606v2? For the last couple of weeks the Welsh boys have been citing 1/2p's goal kicking as the reason he should be included in the Lions ahead of Hogg.

#notserious

[funnyExiledScot]

Weir reminds me of Craig Chalmers. He is adamn sitre better than Parks. He masterminded the demolition of the england Saxons by scotland A last year

....and has been dining out on it ever since - literally!

[alexgmacdonald]

I'm glad weir is hitting a bit of form. His kicking from hand and the tee against the dragons for Glasgow was very impressive as well as his game management. And he looked good when coming on vs Ireland.

Stuart hogg looks classier every game that he plays. We are lucky to have such a talented player

[RDW]

For those not aware yet - looks like Richie Gray is off to Castres

https://www.606v2.com/t41098-richie-gray-to-castres#1884608

[funnyExiledScot]

NDL should be nowhere near the squad at the moment. For years he's been correctly selected as the top performing 13 in Scottish rugby. At the moment others have a more pressing case - Alex Dunbar in particular, as well as Alex Grove.

What goes around comes around. NDL's sending off rules him out of this 6 Nations as far as I'm concerned. Stupid offence, and it'll stop him playing sufficient rugby to win the Scotland 13 jersey back, and it opens the door for others.

It's clear that Sean Lamont isn't the long term option at 13 for Scotland, but I think the continuity is doing the current team some good, and he's there to help the likes of Scott and Maitland settle into the Scotland side. He's a leader within the squad and, on the basis that our backs actually touch the ball against Wales, he's a destructive ball carrier and runner when given the chance. It also helps that Wales are more physical and direct in the backs than Ireland, who were to a man pretty small and looked to wriggle through space rather than crash through it. Wales are different, and Lamont will be more suited to dealing with Roberts, Davies, North and Cuthbert, than he was dealing with Earls, BOD, Gilroy and Marshall.

On Hogg's kick, I thought it was a very decent effort. I was right behind it and it was bang on line. I think it faded about 2-3 metres short and fell under the cross bar.

[alexgmacdonald]

I think it's time to close the book on de Luca. He's 29 now and there are better, more exciting and more reliable options than him now.

I believe you are right regarding Sean Lamont, good guy to have around the team especially when integrating new players. The only problem is that we should be introducing players in the very position he is occupying.

Regarding Hogg's kick, that's what I thought too, the line looked perfect but it just lacked a wee bit of power

[SecretFly]

The Dick Turpin Stand and Deliver Thread?

It's hard to spot the rugby in these rugby threads lately. Crytic Crossword Rugby.

[funnyExiledScot]

I think it's time to close the book on de Luca. He's 29 now and there are better, more exciting and more reliable options than him now.

I believe you are right regarding Sean Lamont, good guy to have around the team especially when integrating new players. The only problem is that we should be introducing players in the very position he is occupying.

I personally wouldn't "close the book" on anyone. If NDL picks up his form at Edinburgh in the 13 jersey then he'll be right back in contention. 29 means nothing.

We have an entirely new back three bedding down this season, a new 9 and a new 12. I don't see any particular rush in needing a new 13 as well.

Dunbar and Grove are making pressing cases, which is pleasing, but Lamont hasn't done a lot wrong in the first three matches, and has created and scored a try against Italy. I suspect we'll also want him against Basteraud in the final game. It would be harsh on Dunbar for that to be his debut, away in Paris. Not that he isn't physical enough to cope mind you, just that Fofana and Bastereud in Paris whilst France try to avoid the wooden spoon won't be pleasant.

[flyhalffactory]

NDL should be nowhere near the squad at the moment. For years he's been correctly selected as the top performing 13 in Scottish rugby. At the moment others have a more pressing case - Alex Dunbar in particular, as well as Alex Grove.

What goes around comes around. NDL's sending off rules him out of this 6 Nations as far as I'm concerned. Stupid offence, and it'll stop him playing sufficient rugby to win the Scotland 13 jersey back, and it opens the door for others.

It's clear that Sean Lamont isn't the long term option at 13 for Scotland, but I think the continuity is doing the current team some good, and he's there to help the likes of Scott and Maitland settle into the Scotland side. He's a leader within the squad and, on the basis that our backs actually touch the ball against Wales, he's a destructive ball carrier and runner when given the chance. It also helps that Wales are more physical and direct in the backs than Ireland, who were to a man pretty small and looked to wriggle through space rather than crash through it. Wales are different, and Lamont will be more suited to dealing with Roberts, Davies, North and Cuthbert, than he was dealing with Earls, BOD, Gilroy and Marshall.

On Hogg's kick, I thought it was a very decent effort. I was right behind it and it was bang on line. I think it faded about 2-3 metres short and fell under the cross bar.

FES spot on mate

Lamont is definitely more suited to the Welsh backs who are physical and direct, I would like to see Dunbar on the bench tho as I have an itching to see the Weir/Scott/Dunbar axis at full flow

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Here is a question for you

Why is Nick De Luca not in the squad? He was playing for Edinburgh at the weekend so he must be fit to play!

I think Scott and De Luca would be a more potent midfield that Soctt and Shlong (bless him)

And Barcs needs to get a bench place at least.

And his dog needs to be made mascot

De Luca Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[RDW]

Murrayfield sold out already:

http://www.scottishrugby.org/content/view/3450/2/

Good news!

[Solid8]

For those not aware yet - looks like Richie Gray is off to Castres

https://www.606v2.com/t41098-richie-gray-to-castres#1884608

Also Richie Vernon has been confirmed as returning to Glasgow according to the Beeb.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21589769

[Glas a du]

Murrayfield sold out already:

http://www.scottishrugby.org/content/view/3450/2/

Good news!

Love sacks! I've got sheep to collect from Edinburgh and was going to kill two birds with one stone!

[RDW]

Murrayfield sold out already:

http://www.scottishrugby.org/content/view/3450/2/

Good news!

Love sacks! I've got sheep to collect from Edinburgh and was going to kill two birds with one stone!

That's a new one! Love it.

[100%beefy]

Murrayfield sold out already:

http://www.scottishrugby.org/content/view/3450/2/

Good news!

Love sacks! I've got sheep to collect from Edinburgh and was going to kill two birds with one stone!

sheep...capacity welsh crowd....could be worth a look

[funnyExiledScot]

Agreed - you wouldn't want those sheep after the Welsh have had a night out in Edinburgh!!

[100%beefy]

Agreed - you wouldn't want those sheep after the Welsh have had a night out in Edinburgh!!

Yeah, wouldn't want to get f%^&ed twice in one day Glas!

[RDW]

Have to say the one thing I’m not looking forward to is the drunk middle aged Welsh women wearing those bloody daffodil costumes – they make the Geordie shore lot looks like nuns in comparison!

[100%beefy]

why do you think welsh men prefer sheep.

[RDW]

why do you think welsh men prefer sheep.

[flyhalffactory]

Have to say the one thing I’m not looking forward to is the drunk middle aged Welsh women wearing those bloody daffodil costumes – they make the Geordie shore lot looks like nuns in comparison!

Come you love it really......... you are really just a naughty boy!!

[Tattie Scones RRN]

Sold out?

Great news and lucky my tickets come through last week.

Anyone having pre-match slurps in the Murrayfield hotel prior to the game?

[R!skysports]

Fantastic to get the win, although I have to say we were very very poor

Positives - Scrum, line out and scramble defence, fighting spirit

Negatives - everything else

Again we did not commit men to the breakdown and allowed them a free ride. Quick ball and they cut us to pieces in the first half.

Sorry to say that I am worried out our first up defense. It is not working. How many times did they run through our back line with ease. Seems to be a recurring theme now - is it Lamont is not a 13 and does not get the positioning right?


I am not sure how we can be that positive on this performance, and how any players can get close to a 9

I am extremely concerned about Wales and if we play like that again we will ship 40 points


We won because they butchered try chances and missed (or did not take kicks)

We may one off load and no line breaks - shocking

The win is great, but it is not a good day for Scottish rugby - sorry that is just how I feel

[bsando]

Just back from couple of fantastic days in Edinburgh! What a game, I was sat behind the posts at North end, got all the action!

First thing I have to say is, Wayne Barnes should be shot! What a terrible referee he is. I felt no shame as I booed as loud as I could when he pulled a yellow card out of his pocket after barely a 1/4 of the game had gone by. He then went on to ping Ireland for everything in the last 20 minutes or so, as if to make up for all the calls he missed in the first 3/4 of the match. He just loves his whistle and loves to ruin the flow of a game.

I'm sure lots has been said on here so I'll just briefly sum up my views...

Maitland saved us 1st half. Amazing tackles, tackles that previous Scottish wingers would not have been capable of.

Visser defended very well.

Jackson kicked the ball too much and not very well, again. Weir looked better when he came on.

Hamilton was awesome in lineouts and it is great that he's backing up his poor England performance with MOM performances, keep it up big Jim!!

Hogg surely improved his Lions chances a bit more. He looked the part in my view and the way he defended was amazing, he put a lot of pressure on Irish player who butchered a seemingly easy pass to get a try.

Beattie is giving our scrum a lot more oomphh!!

Overall, same as last few games. Some smart kicking strategy at times, but too much kicking in general. Many opportunities to keep ball were kicked away needlessly in my view. This has to change for Wales game or else they will punish us big time!

[R!skysports]

I may be the only one, but actually thought Yellow card when grant tugged at the scrum half - he was one yard away, went to pull him back, caused him to have to change direction

Was slightly harsh, but he made to pull him back, so I can see why he was carded

[bsando]

Fair enough risky, just thought a yellow so soon in the game was really uncalled for, but I haven't seen the replay of what Grant did so it may have been deserved.

I also feel the way you do to a certain respect. I think Scotland are fragile at the moment and Johnson has to be brave and make a few changes this week. Jackson has had 3 games to show his worth. In my view he is not the man for the job. I still really think Heathcote would be good at 10, especially for the tactical kicking which is what Johnson seems to be going for. In fact, if Johnson is looking for Jackson and laidlaw to kick the ball every time they don't get quick ball (nearly all the time) then weir or heathcote would be far better options surely? Weir has a really big boot on him, where as jackson can barely make 20m.

[Glas a du]

Looks like I have to fetch the sheep this weekend now. Can anybody suggest decent places on a Friday night in the Burgh?

[captain carrantuohil]

Daylight robbery it may have been - OK, was - but little acorns have a habit of offering up giant oak trees.

Forgive me rambling a bit, but I remember England in about 88, bereft of confidence, short of wins, having plumbed new depths of ineptitude in the RWC a year previously. One fluky, ugly win against Scotland led to a priceless bit of confidence, which led to a (then) record rout of Ireland, which ultimately, led to the dominant NH side of the early 90s.

I'm not saying that this Scotland side is yet the equal of that England side. There are still gaps that will need filling, and this may take a year or two. However, it's well worth you lot celebrating the first 6N win at Murrayfield against someone other than Italy since God knows when for more reasons than one. Confidence is most of it - if you are now expecting to win matches all the time, Scotland will be a danger to all for some time to come, especially when the side also remembers that contesting a breakdown from time to time can reap a surprisingly rich harvest.

[reallybored]

Despite its ridiculous nature, I was quite impressed with the performance. The Irish had one or two clear cut chance but other than that our defence kept them at bay. The set-piece was strong and when the time came to tighten the crew we did it in a cynical and ruthless fashion.

Obviously there are huge areas where we need drastic improvement, primarily ball retention, but if we can show the same graft and coolness under pressure we'll continue to do well.

Want to see a rampant Beattie against Wales, haven't seen him charging around with ball in hand as often as I'd like. Also like Maitland to get some space and really stretch his legs, Hogg said Maitland was quicker than him.

[funnyExiledScot]

I'm more with Risky on this one. We can take heart from the scrum, line out and scramble defence, but not a lot else.

That was not the template to follow if we want to be improving as a side, and whilst I'm all for enjoying the victory, it wasn't a sign-post of good things to come.

The Italy game, and in some respects the England game, were far more encouraging. In those games, what little we had of the ball, we were adventurous and thoughtful with it. Against Ireland it was a very limited game plan indeed. Laidlaw basically box kicked every ball that wasn't in the Ireland 22. We need to be more expansive and willing to take risks.

On player ratings, the highest I'd be willing to go would be 7 - I'd give that score to each of Geoff Cross, Jim Hamilton and Kelly Brown. 6's and 5's for the rest.

Wayne Barnes gets a 4.

[RDW]

Good analysis from Blair here:

Possession, territory and amount of tackles made by each team all weigh heavily in Ireland's favour. Key facets of the game, undoubtedly, and as a consequence the Scottish win went down as a "great escape".
My first attempt at this article literally gave me a headache as I was analysing the official Scotland team match statistics put together by Rob Holdsworth. There is no point. It doesn't make sense. I'm going to say what I saw instead.
At half-time Scotland had absolutely no right to be within 15 points of the Irish - but they were and clear-cut opportunities went begging. Sure, bemoan the clinical edge of the Irish but also remember the scramble defence of the Scots.
It must have been demoralising and frustrating for the Irish to have only gone into the changing room 3-0 up.
Scotland were playing a sensible game in the wet conditions and didn't become frustrated by the lack of possession and start playing from deep. Laidlaw did the majority of kicking, a clever array of short chips, noticing the Irish backfield coverage was very deep, mixed with contestable box kicks and pressure-relieving touch finders.
In defence, something that caught the eye was the "one-man spot blitz". Sean Lamont and Sean Maitland both performed this a couple of times with success.

Ireland's Paddy Jackson is halted by Matthew Scott and Tim Visser
Basically, it is when a wider defender accelerates a bit quicker than those inside him in an attempt to get in the opposition ball player's eye-line. He is effectively trying to "spook" the opposition into not throwing the wider pass and forcing him back inside where the safe haven of the stronger inside defence wait.
Against a young 10 [Paddy Jackson] in wet conditions, short on confidence after an early dropped ball, it worked perfectly. The same two players pulled off a miraculous tackle on Brian O'Driscoll on the eighth minute of the game too.
It's moments like these that have such a bearing on a Test match result. Concede early and confidence drops. Hang in and belief builds.
OK, I've caved in - here is a statistic, you have to concentrate! Of the 47 times that Scotland started with the ball they didn't play past two phases 36 times. They kicked early in their sets and looked to pressurise the Irish through their kick chase, breakdown work and spot blitz.
Ireland surprisingly only started with the ball 42 times but they chose to play a multiphase game, 17 times putting together three phases or more (on four occasions putting together more than 11 phases).
This explains the possession statistics. Scotland were happier to part with the ball than their opponents. There is no hiding that of course they would want more possession but as half backs you play the cards you are dealt and they played the conditions sensibly.
The fact that Scotland lost the ball 11 times in the first two phases maybe suggests they weren't comfortable taking the risk of playing as turnover ball is a terrific attacking source. Accuracy in these first few phases must be improved as you won't win all your games with 29% of the ball.
The line-out functioned well, especially defensively. You could see Jim Hamilton, who had a strong game, moving up and down the line-out trying to pre-empt where the ball was going to be thrown to and this certainly disrupted the Irish.

The scrum was very solid too, even when Ryan Grant was off the pitch with the yellow card.
I have taken tap penalties many times, been smashed after three or four metres and rarely has a yellow card been given. I don't know if Grant actually touched Murray and yet a potential game-changing yellow was awarded.
Players just want consistency from referees across the board but that's a discussion for another day…
Matt Taylor, Scotland's defence coach, will be pleased with the forwards' efforts, making 84 of their 89 tackles but will be concerned with the backs only completing 39 of their 56 attempts.
They can ill-afford making the same errors against the likes of Roberts, North and Cuthbert in two weeks' time.
There are certainly things to work on but Scott Johnson will be delighted that this will be done on the back of a second successive win. The difference between winning and losing is marginal and often comes down to little things but the impact of a winning culture is huge.
Keep winning and no-one is too bothered about how it's done and if Johnson's team can keep building on their foundations in defence, set-piece work, goal kicking and desire then a win against Wales is not out of reach.

[IanBru]

I agree with Risky (dangerous theme developing on this thread...), at least to a certain extent.

We were not the better team, but we were the better team at scoring points. Part of me thinks 'the win is all that matters', and to be sure if we hadn't won, the rest of the tournament would have been a bit of a dead rubber (i.e. we've won a game, improved on last year, but not challenging for anything else).

However, we can't get beyond the fact that if we play against Wales like we did on Sunday, we'll lose.

What strikes me is how similar our current situation is to that of Wales after they beat France. They were lucky to do so (they deserved to win, but were poor for 70 minutes), and the real joy was in the fact, rather than the manner of the victory. When the game finished in Paris and Jiffy immediately came on calling it a 'great win' it made me absolutely furious, because it displayed the sort of mentality that allows teams to rest on their laurels and stagnate.

However, I don't think this will happen with Scotland after Sunday. Firstly, Johnson and Ryan (Deano in particular) are the very last people to be satisfied with the manner of Sunday's victory. I wouldn't be surprised if the smiles were wiped firmly off the players' faces when they re-entered the changing room by a quivering mass of northern rage. Secondly, the media are loath to attribute credit for a win even when it is deserved, and reading the tone of some of the articles written this week, you'd have thought Scotland had been tonked! Finally, we have the players themselves - there seems to be a hunger around the squad that we lacked a couple years ago. This is where Brown, I feel, is coming into his own as a captain. When you are on a winning streak, there is a desire to win, not just for the sake of that game, but to preserve the 'purity' of the previous wins. I think this was a major factor in the level of performance shown in the last ten minutes against Samoa last year.

One last point. When I came on here today, I had a little read of the posts from immediately after the final whistle on Sunday. It's good to be reminded how good it feels to win. And it does feel bloody good.

[RuggerRadge2611]

I agree with some of what has been said.

In the 1st half we hung on by our finger nails or weathered the storm, I guess that's all down to a point of view. Even when down to 14 men we still looked composed.

2nd half from the 50 minute mark till the 76th minute mark I thought we were in complete control of the game and gave Ireland all the rope needed to hang themselves.

I agree that if we give the Welsh the same ammount of possesion as we abandoned to Ireland we'll lose too. But I think we are doing ourselves and a players a disservice to call our performance lucky. Barnes did us absolutely no favours and the breakdown was basicly just a free for all and for some reason we got pinged more than Ireland.

[GunsGerms]

Good analysis from Blair here:

...something that caught the eye was the "one-man spot blitz". Sean Lamont and Sean Maitland both performed this a couple of times with success.

Ireland's Paddy Jackson is halted by Matthew Scott and Tim Visser
Basically, it is when a wider defender accelerates a bit quicker than those inside him in an attempt to get in the opposition ball player's eye-line. He is effectively trying to "spook" the opposition into not throwing the wider pass and forcing him back inside where the safe haven of the stronger inside defence wait.
Against a young 10 [Paddy Jackson] in wet conditions, short on confidence after an early dropped ball, it worked perfectly.

Dont think that is great analysis to be honest because Ireland made most of their breaks and yards through the midfield while Scotland were executing the spot blitz. There's no point using a spot blitzs if your centres arent going to tackle a narrow Ireland attack.

[RubyGuby]

IrnBru - Wales were not poor against France - they defended well and were in the ascendency for the last 20 - Everyone on here is begrudging Wales their win in Paris. Wales have not fired on all cylinders and we will be close to full strength against Scotland who we have beaten in the last 9 out of 10 matches. Wales will be as desperate as Scotland and if both teams play to their full potential I believe we will win

[George Carlin]

Ruby - I agree that you cannot win in Paris by playing poorly.

I think the comments are more to do with the fact that the whole thing became something of a midfield slug-fest, which is nobody's fault but which is inevitably going to lend itself to people professing that the win was not comprehensive, therefore the performance needs improvement.

I don't think that anyone is selling Wales short and I think every comment above essentially states that we are for a large wedgie if we surrender possession so cheaply and for so long again.

You guys need Jenkins fit though - he was the reason that you held the massive French front row. What is the prognosis on the calf?

[RubyGuby]

James is actually a stronger scrummager than Jenkins - I would play Paul James there

[RuggerRadge2611]

Aye he is quite a powerful scrummager. It will be a good battle in the front row, however I think Ford is crucial for us. He is so strong and steady he really gives Murray/Cross and Grant a real chance to attack their opposite numbers.

Having given England a good match in the Scrum and dominating Ireland and Italy I certainly wouldn't be intimidated by the Welsh Scrum.

The pitch at St Denis didn't really give us any indication of how good the Welsh scrum is but they looked comfy against Italy. Ireland again didn't really tell us much since Gethin was clearly short of test match fitness and Healy played.

I reckon the Scrum will be even and depending on who Wales pick, we may have an advantage in the lineouts. Hamilton & Gray were nothing short of outstanding on Sunday in the lineout.

Best was made to look like a rookie thanks to their antics.

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