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

by yappysnap Sun 02 Feb 2014, 9:32 am

First topic message reminder :

Thought I'd start a thread to discuss next weeks game.

ENGLAND

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)

Scotland

Scots team:

1.grant
2.ford
3.low
4.swinson
5.hamilton
6.wilson
7.fusaro
8.denton
9.laidlaw
10.weir
11.lamont
12.scott
13.dunbar
14.seymor
15 hogg

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:42 pm

stub wrote:Burrell looks so dangerous.

Agreed, him and Tuilagi would make a massive centre pairing.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:43 pm

i think nowell is exactly the kind of player england needs.

really impressed that burrell seems to get into try scoring positions so often.

kudos to the new boys.

by majesticimperialman Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:43 pm

Scotland not going to good so far. England ar5e looking quite comfortable well deserving their lead.

Jim Hamilton giving away penalties at the ruck, how long before he gets carded?

Looking forward to the second half.

by yappysnap Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:44 pm

Manu's Boxing Coach wrote:That was a penalty and yellow card there, blatant hands in the ruck from the Scots.

Garces is a French ref so loves the breakdown to be an utter mess. No control over it at all.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:44 pm

Manu's Boxing Coach wrote:That was a penalty and yellow card there, blatant hands in the ruck from the Scots.

completely. i would have awarded penalty try and no yellow. either would have been fair though.

by **George Carlin** Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:44 pm

God, I'm glad I missed that half. Anyone care to surmise this for me?

Noticed that possession is 49:51 but that we've conceded seven (WTF) penalties? That's just mad, Ted.

by yappysnap Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:45 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:
stub wrote:Burrell looks so dangerous.

Agreed, him and Tuilagi would make a massive centre pairing.

That would be amazing, but you must must must play Farrell and Care for those two to get anywhere.

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:46 pm

George Carlin wrote:God, I'm glad I missed that half. Anyone care to surmise this for me?

Noticed that possession is 49:51 but that we've conceded seven (WTF) penalties? That's just mad, Ted.

Two words to describe Scotland. No gameplan.

by TJ Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:47 pm

Mince from Scotland. No fight about them. Summed up when Farrell dropped the ball in his 22 - one scot was jogging towards him. Scotland could and should have won that ball. couple of individuals look hungry but collectivity Scotland look a beaten side before the start.
Scotland need to fight for the ball at every opportunity and to blitz.

England - what we know. Workmanlike and low risk strategy played well. Should be challenging for the championship this year

by TJ Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:47 pm

George Carlin wrote:God, I'm glad I missed that half. Anyone care to surmise this for me?

One word
"mince"

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:47 pm

yappysnap wrote:
Nachos Jones wrote:
stub wrote:Burrell looks so dangerous.

Agreed, him and Tuilagi would make a massive centre pairing.

That would be amazing, but you must must must play Farrell and Care for those two to get anywhere.

Personally I would think that Care and Flood would get them moving better...

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:48 pm

awful pitch
lots of kicking
scots conceding too many pens, and not competing at resultant lineouts
no scrum advantages as the ground is so soft
england, wierdly, looking fairly dangerous ball in hand in the backs

not a great game, but that was always going to be the case with pitch and weather such as they are

by TJ Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:49 pm

quinsforever wrote:
Manu's Boxing Coach wrote:That was a penalty and yellow card there, blatant hands in the ruck from the Scots.
completely. i would have awarded penalty try and no yellow. either would have been fair though.

Nonsense

Garcia is giving more time to fight for the ball that Doyle(??) in the earlier game. A scotsman got his hands on the ball fairly and it got buried.

Not even a penalty THE WAY GARCIA IS CALLING IT other refs would differ

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:50 pm

Manu's Boxing Coach wrote:That was a penalty and yellow card there, blatant hands in the ruck from the Scots.

i agree it should of been, he wasn't on his feet either (resting on his head)

by TJ Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:50 pm

And the way Garcia is calling it favours the Scots so far.

by EST Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:52 pm

Dear me Scotland, can somebody please remove Hamilton from the proceedings - a penalty vortex.

Ford, I just feel sorry for him - he is no mental state to be playing international rugby.

by Mr Bounce Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:53 pm

England relatively impressive; not doing anymore than they have to and both wings have done well. Burrell looks good; impressive stuff from Lawes again.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:53 pm

TJ wrote:And the way Garcia is calling it favours the Scots so far.

yes, insofar as it slows the ball down then yes.

i am getting almost no enjoyment from this match. scotland look bereft of threat.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:54 pm

Hartley with a carry!

by **George Carlin** Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:54 pm

God, I hate the condescending commentary panel.
I'm surprised that they haven't interviewed a nematode pitchside yet.

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:55 pm

Jaysus, that Burrell runs some excellent lines. Very impressive.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:55 pm

Burrell and Manu in the centres will brilliant

by TJ Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:55 pm

quinsforever wrote:
TJ wrote:And the way Garcia is calling it favours the Scots so far.
yes, insofar as it slows the ball down then yes.

i am getting almost no enjoyment from this match. scotland look bereft of threat.

And scotland are second to the breakdown a couple oif times an Englishman has had his hands on the ball but scots have taken it back again. Another ref that would have been a couple of pens

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:55 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:
stub wrote:Burrell looks so dangerous.

Agreed, him and Tuilagi would make a massive centre pairing.

Yeah, Looking forward to seeing that.

by TJ Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:56 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:Jaysus, that Burrell runs some excellent lines. Very impressive.

Yup - the bastid!

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:56 pm

Poor Ross Ford, he really is out of form.

by **George Carlin** Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:56 pm

FORD OFF. Lawson on.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:58 pm

brian moore - good use of word "ineluctable"!

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:00 pm

What a surprise, a little hint of a fight and Lawes is there. He was a little slow getting there to be honest, it only took him a second Wink

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:00 pm

That was something and nothing. Agree with commentator - Lawes hard done by.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:01 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:What a surprise, a little hint of a fight and Lawes is there. He was a little slow getting there to be honest, it only took him a second

i see the punch by the Scottish player was missed

by **George Carlin** Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:01 pm

I miss Nigel Owens' tellings-off. Accept no substitute.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:01 pm

maybe because he was standing next to them? 5 next to 6?

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:02 pm

nathan wrote:
Nachos Jones wrote:What a surprise, a little hint of a fight and Lawes is there. He was a little slow getting there to be honest, it only took him a second

i see the punch by the Scottish player ~~was~~ missed

corrected for you Wink

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:02 pm

Wingers having a go....

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:03 pm

quinsforever wrote:maybe because he was standing next to them? 5 next to 6?

It was a joke quins, hence the winkeye.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:03 pm

Moore is a numpty sometimes, Nothing wrong with Nowell trying that, nothing was on and they had the pen already.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:04 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:
quinsforever wrote:maybe because he was standing next to them? 5 next to 6?

It was a joke quins, hence the winkeye.

okay gotcha. lawes has until very recently had a rep for recklessness which i thought you were referring to...

by yappysnap Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:05 pm

So basically we can either have a Farrell who can kick and not run or a Farrel who can run but not kick, but not both...

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:06 pm

In May and Norwell England have uncovered a couple of gems. I always liked Ashton but he has massive work to do to get back in the team.

Finally a yellow against Scotland. Excellent run by May.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:06 pm

100% guilty there.

by HammerofThunor Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:06 pm

And they're only there because Wade and Marland are injured.

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:06 pm

yappysnap wrote:So basically we can either have a Farrell who can kick and not run or a Farrel who can run but not kick, but not both...

Yeah, it's a pity really!

by Hood83 Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:07 pm

Think GE was calling Vunipola a fatty after the ABs game. I think that offload showed he may offer a little more.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:07 pm

yappysnap wrote:So basically we can either have a Farrell who can kick and not run or a Farrel who can run but not kick, but not both...

i'm willing to say that the grass is the issue or lack of it.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:07 pm

another yellow please

by Artful_Dodger Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:07 pm

Is it just me or is Moray Low consistently looking for head on head with Joe Marler? Very stupid and dangerous if he does it again he should be yellowed.

Billy Vunipola and Care looking very good for England. Billy V reminds me so much of Ulster's No.8 Nick Williams. He carries in an identical fashion and is almost impossible to take high and also like Nick Williams he loves his one handed offloads out of tackles.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:07 pm

Hood83 wrote:Think GE was calling Vunipola a fatty after the ABs game. I think that offload showed he may offer a little more.

it was a beaut

by HammerofThunor Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:08 pm

yappysnap wrote:So basically we can either have a Farrell who can kick and not run or a Farrel who can run but not kick, but not both...

He has a switch in his left armpit.

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:08 pm

So, is May going to score?

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