Scotland v England, Murrayfield, Sat 8th Feb, 17:00

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has kept faith with the side which lost to France and named an unchanged line-up for Saturday's match against Scotland.
Gloucester's Jonny May starts on the wing despite breaking his nose nine minutes into the 26-24 loss in Paris.
Courtney Lawes will be in the second row after his cheekbone bruising eased, while Danny Care and Owen Farrell form the half-back partnership.
"They're determined to put last week's result behind them," said Lancaster.
England will be hoping to avoid a third successive Test defeat, having lost to New Zealand in the autumn and France in the opening weekend of the Six Nations.
Scotland, however, were well beaten by Ireland on Sunday have not prevailed in the Calcutta Cup since their 15-9 win at Murrayfield in 2008.
"Scotland will be hugely motivated by their defeat in Dublin and, as we found two years ago, Murrayfield is a tough place to play," added Lancaster, who began his England reign with a 13-6 win against Scotland in 2012.
May is not expected to wear a protective face mask when he wins his third cap in Edinburgh.
Luther Burrell, who scored on his debut at the Stade de France, will make his second Test appearance at centre, while Jack Nowell takes up the right-wing spot for what will also be his second cap.
Wasps prop Matt Mullan will travel as the 24th man.

England XI v Scotland: Mike Brown (Harlequins, 22 caps), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 1 cap), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 9 caps), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps), Owen Farrell (Saracens, 20 caps), Danny Care (Harlequins, 43 caps), Joe Marler (Harlequins, 16 caps), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 51 caps), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 44 caps), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 15 caps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 26 caps), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 24 caps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt, 21 caps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 6 caps)
Replacements: Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 13 caps), Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 11 caps), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks, 2 caps), Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 6 caps), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 16 caps), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints, 13 caps), Brad Barritt (Saracens, 17 caps), Alex Goode (Saracens, 14 caps)

RDW_Scotland wrote:Scotsman is also predicting the gray's will swap places on the bench.

Also suggesting SG will replace Maitland.   

beshocked wrote:Who are your big ball carriers 123456789? I know there's Denton but other than him?

If Brown does drop out, it's nice to see how Johnson treats the player he picked as captain.

Expect London Irish to feel the pain on the weekend.

Captain Brown to make way for new boy

by Alasdair Reid

Chris Fusaro, the 24-year-old Glasgow Warriors flanker, looks set to make his international debut for Scotland in Saturday's Calcutta Cup match with England at Murrayfield.

Herald Sport understands that Fusaro, who has been close to selection on a number of previous occasions, is being lined up to take the openside place of the captain Kelly Brown, who is likely to drop out of the matchday squad altogether. The shock move comes in the wake of the Scots' 28-6 defeat by Ireland in Dublin last Sunday, a performance variously described by the forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys as "awful", "dreadful" and "a shambles".

Earlier this season, the interim head coach Scott Johnson suggested the 5ft 11in Fusaro, who weighs in at just under 15st, lacked the bulk needed to compete in the heavy traffic of international rugby. However, it appears that his combination of pace, stamina and ball-winning skills have counted in his favour after Ireland exposed Scotland's weaknesses in contact.

If it comes to pass, the selection of Fusaro is one of three changes that are likely to be made to the starting line-up that ran out against Ireland. With Sean Maitland ruled out by an ankle injury - further assessment yesterday revealed soft tissue damage that will not require surgery but will put him out of the game for up to eight weeks - Tommy Seymour looks set to be given a place on the wing ahead of Max Evans, who came on as a substitute in Dublin, while Matt Scott is expected to resume his customary place at inside centre, taking the No.12 shirt back from Duncan Taylor.

Sources have also suggested that a couple of significant changes are to be made on the bench. It is understood that Newcastle Falcons hooker Scott Lawson has been preferred to Glasgow's Pat MacArthur, and that Jonny Gray could oust his brother Richie to cover the second-row positions.

Scrum-half Greig Laidlaw, who was criticised in some quarters for his service in the game against Ireland, is expected to retain his position in the starting XV, as is his half-back partner Duncan Weir. Glasgow's Chris Cusiter looked sharp when he took over from Laidlaw in Dublin, but the latter's goalkicking abilities appear to be indispensable at the moment.

Although the weather forecast for Saturday afternoon is less severe than that which was being predicted earlier in the week, an attritional contest is still expected, not least on account of the condition of the Murrayfield pitch. With that in mind, goal-kicking accuracy could turn out to be as critical as it has been in other recent games against England.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:If Ford keeps his place it ranks up with mistakes akin to :

A man coming off a plane in 1939 after a meeting in Munich with a certain German Dictator claiming peace in our time.

The captain of Titanic deciding to cane it through an Ice Field.

Or the selection of SCW to lead a Lions tour.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:for me my team for England :

1. Grant
2. MacArthur
3. Lowe
4. Swinson
5. Gray
6. Brown
7. Barclay
8. Denton

9. Laidlaw
10. Weir
11. Seymore
12. Scott
13. Dunbar
14. Tonks
15. Hogg

16.Lawson 17.Cross 18.Dickinson 19.J Gray 20.Beattie 21.Cusiter 22.Taylor 23. Evans

Lamont just too damn slow for an international class winger. He got tackled from behind by the irish pensioner on Sunday.

Former Scotland and British Lions star Peter Wright has told the Daily Mail the Calcutta Cup match could become farcical if the worst predictions about the state of the Murrayfield pitch turn out to be true.

Although the SRU yesterday announced it would be investing in a new hybrid surface over the summer, that will not help the current situation. With rain forecast in Edinburgh this weekend to add to the groundsman's problems, Wright said the easily cut-up surface could become a quagmire.

"I hope I'm wrong but I do have concerns that the state of the pitch will have a big influence over who wins the match," he told the newspaper. "Just say the score is tight with 10 minutes left and the pitch has cut up so badly it's impossible to keep your feet in the scrum.

"Such an important game could then be decided by a player losing his footing at the set-piece and giving away a penalty. That shouldn't be the way a team wins a Six Nations match."

He said the choice of stud would be vital, especially for the forwards. "If they pick a stud that's too small that could lessen their grip; if they chose one that's too big their foot could stick in the dirt and cause injury.

"If a player loses his footing once, he'll be conscious of it happening again and that could lead to a bit of a farce with players not wanting to try anything too fancy.

"My advice to the forwards would be to not to move their foot much in the scrum, make sure the scrum is stable and keep things steady. The backs also have to watch when they side-step and not get their foot stuck in a divot. I'm concerned that a heavy, cut-up pitch will lead to not much decent rugby being played which would be a shame."

Former England lock Ben Kay was of a similar mind. He said England's pack prefer a straight pushing contest "but if you can't get traction because the pitch is cutting up, you have a problem. If you think of England's defeats at Murrayfield they were often on wet, muddy pitches.

"Power runners don't have the contact with the ground to break through and the players with skill don't have the same confidence underfoot. England won't use it as an excuse but they would prefer a fast, firm track."

yappysnap wrote:OP updated with the England team   

Excited for this game now. Looking at the actual number of caps there it helps to put the close loss to France in a little more context. Yes there were selection and tactical problems but it's a very young team (the youngest in the comp) and a very inexperienced team (the least caps in the comp) so to have only lost due to our own mistakes is impressive, if very annoying.

Starting backline has 98 caps between them Care is the most experienced with 43 caps
Starting pack has 193 caps between them, Hartley on a massive 51 caps (also our only over 50).

yappysnap wrote:Well- Past-It, at club level I agree with all of that about Dickson. Unfortunately at Int level i've seen none of it and I think it's been proven over the AI's and last weekends game that for England to have any attacking threat there must be pace at 9. That is more important then anything else while we have Farrell and a hodge podge midfield.

beshocked wrote:You're absolutely right PSW. Things start looking a bit bleaker in the backrow if Robshaw and Wood get injured. I suppose Billy could move to 6 and Morgan to 8. Giving us two monster ball carriers in the backrow if Wood gets injured. Does mess with the balance a bit but it could work.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Well- Past-It, at club level I agree with all of that about Dickson. Unfortunately at Int level i've seen none of it and I think it's been proven over the AI's and last weekends game that for England to have any attacking threat there must be pace at 9. That is more important then anything else while we have Farrell and a hodge podge midfield.

Dickson replaced Care in the 62nd minute, did England go to pot then, no they carried on with the same game keeping the French in their third of the pitch. It could be argued that in the last 20 minutes you do not want a hot head (respectfully meant) like Care who will often tap and go when you actually need to pick up the three points on offer.  

beshocked wrote:"Saints do not have a 7th best player in the AP in any position outside their 3rd side."

Well past it what about Elliott?

He is rated behind Varndell,Sharples,Ashton,Watson,Nowell,Yarde and Wade and May in the England pecking order. Should be behind Strettle and could also be behind Banahan and Cueto in Lancaster's eyes.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

beshocked wrote:You're absolutely right PSW. Things start looking a bit bleaker in the backrow if Robshaw and Wood get injured. I suppose Billy could move to 6 and Morgan to 8. Giving us two monster ball carriers in the backrow if Wood gets injured. Does mess with the balance a bit but it could work.

You could always move Launchbury or Lawes into the back row, or maybe even Dylan Hartley. That's what Scotland would do.

funnyExiledScot wrote:The scrum half I always want to see more of is Joe Simpson. He doesn't seem to have built on the huge promise he showed earlier in his career, but he's lightening quick on the break.

Still, he's only 25. Plenty more to come from him.

lostinwales wrote:I know the pitch and conditions for the Saxons game wasnt exactly the best, but Thompstone didnt look the part at all.

Chjw131 wrote:...
The alternative would be either TJ, Kvesic or Haskell into the BS/OS spot. I'd be happy enough for Hask to come in at 6. Dickinson went very well for the Saxons and has made himself 3rd choice No.8 but I don't think playing Billy V and Morgan in the same backrow is a good shout. Not enough work-rate.

lostinwales wrote:

Chjw131 wrote:...
The alternative would be either TJ, Kvesic or Haskell into the BS/OS spot. I'd be happy enough for Hask to come in at 6. Dickinson went very well for the Saxons and has made himself 3rd choice No.8 but I don't think playing Billy V and Morgan in the same backrow is a good shout. Not enough work-rate.

Is the brand in any kind of form? good call if he is.

Billy V at 6 isnt ideal but there dont seem to be any issues with his work rate at the moment

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Well- Past-It, at club level I agree with all of that about Dickson. Unfortunately at Int level i've seen none of it and I think it's been proven over the AI's and last weekends game that for England to have any attacking threat there must be pace at 9. That is more important then anything else while we have Farrell and a hodge podge midfield.

Dickson replaced Care in the 62nd minute, did England go to pot then, no they carried on with the same game keeping the French in their third of the pitch. It could be argued that in the last 20 minutes you do not want a hot head (respectfully meant) like Care who will often tap and go when you actually need to pick up the three points on offer.  

Its not just his tap and go
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/danny-care-apologises-for-yellow-card-380729

ChequeredJersey wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Well- Past-It, at club level I agree with all of that about Dickson. Unfortunately at Int level i've seen none of it and I think it's been proven over the AI's and last weekends game that for England to have any attacking threat there must be pace at 9. That is more important then anything else while we have Farrell and a hodge podge midfield.

Dickson replaced Care in the 62nd minute, did England go to pot then, no they carried on with the same game keeping the French in their third of the pitch. It could be argued that in the last 20 minutes you do not want a hot head (respectfully meant) like Care who will often tap and go when you actually need to pick up the three points on offer.  

Its not just his tap and go
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/danny-care-apologises-for-yellow-card-380729

Ah yes, the kind of thing that nobody would mature out of over 4 years

funnyExiledScot wrote:Don't worry. There's still time for us to drive a combine harvester across the pitch before Saturday and select 15 forwards.....

ChequeredJersey wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Don't worry. There's still time for us to drive a combine harvester across the pitch before Saturday and select 15 forwards.....

Will any of them be competent Hookers or breakdown players?

beshocked wrote:"Saints do not have a 7th best player in the AP in any position outside their 3rd side."

Well past it what about Elliott?

He is rated behind Varndell,Sharples,Ashton,Watson,Nowell,Yarde and Wade and May in the England pecking order. Should be behind Strettle and could also be behind Banahan and Cueto in Lancaster's eyes.