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 mystiroakey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:29 pm

TJ wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:ermm.

I can see England not getting much credit,.

but the reality is we are playing real rugby..

People will still spout the nonsense that we haven't moved on. But we have.

Its good rugby. You could mistake the conditions for being good. But they are not.. They are shocking.

good perhaps - nothing more. Workmanlike is the word I would use. Simple game executed well with a couple of very good individual moments. Look like a real team well drilled in what they do. Defensive linespeed very good. Lineouts and scrums solid

Well you have just made my point i suppose.

We have played rugby. We have run with it, we have passed it, we have played with no fear. And it gets tagged as workmanlike..

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:29 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:There surely has to be another yellow card soon...

maybe the ref is asthmatic...only so many times he can blow the whistle

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:29 pm

HammerofThunor wrote:We clearly feel sorry for their Lineouts. Youngs is on to even it up

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:31 pm

mystiroakey wrote:
TJ wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:ermm.

I can see England not getting much credit,.

but the reality is we are playing real rugby..

People will still spout the nonsense that we haven't moved on. But we have.

Its good rugby. You could mistake the conditions for being good. But they are not.. They are shocking.

good perhaps - nothing more. Workmanlike is the word I would use. Simple game executed well with a couple of very good individual moments. Look like a real team well drilled in what they do. Defensive linespeed very good. Lineouts and scrums solid
Well you have just made my point i suppose.

We have played rugby. We have run with it, we have passed it, we have played with no fear. And it gets tagged as workmanlike..

actually think fairly good skills being displayed given the greasy, mucky conditions.

by **Notch** Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:31 pm

Oh Scotland, jeeezus... its ugly, its very ugly.

by ChequeredJersey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:32 pm

Scotland have cheated so persistently, I'm amazed they've only had one yellow

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:32 pm

Brian Moore 'Maybe its me being an old git'

I really have warmed to his commentary, he is a big fan that commentates. Quality

by yappysnap Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:33 pm

Ah why is Goode coming onto the wing!! He is not a Frak Frak Frak wing!

by ChequeredJersey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:33 pm

Youngs on, England lose lineout shocker

by ChequeredJersey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:33 pm

On rewatch, Brown should be better than to gloat after his try

by **Rugby Fan** Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:34 pm

Tom Youngs...

by mystiroakey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:34 pm

quinsforever wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:
TJ wrote:
mystiroakey wrote:ermm.

I can see England not getting much credit,.

but the reality is we are playing real rugby..

People will still spout the nonsense that we haven't moved on. But we have.

Its good rugby. You could mistake the conditions for being good. But they are not.. They are shocking.

good perhaps - nothing more. Workmanlike is the word I would use. Simple game executed well with a couple of very good individual moments. Look like a real team well drilled in what they do. Defensive linespeed very good. Lineouts and scrums solid
Well you have just made my point i suppose.

We have played rugby. We have run with it, we have passed it, we have played with no fear. And it gets tagged as workmanlike..
actually think fairly good skills being displayed given the greasy, mucky conditions.

what would have normally happened in these conditions in Murrayfield over the last 10 years..

the score would have been 9-6 either way and it would have been kick,spill,kick,spill

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:34 pm

yappysnap wrote:Ah why is Goode coming onto the wing!! He is not a Frak Frak Frak wing!

For his defensive qualities? Wink

by Hood83 Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:34 pm

Awful fron England, we've messed up a load of chances, though credit to Scotland for putting pressure on us.

by yappysnap Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:34 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:Scotland have cheated so persistently, I'm amazed they've only had one yellow

I said earlier Garces loves the breakdown to be a mess, and doesn't care.

by mystiroakey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:35 pm

Hood83 wrote:Awful fron England, we've messed up a load of chances, though credit to Scotland for putting pressure on us.

some people arent just blind - but also completely insane

by ChequeredJersey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:35 pm

Goode... Good intercept by Hogg

by **Rugby Fan** Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:36 pm

Sorry, we can't risk Tom Young's at the lineout.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:36 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:Scotland have cheated so persistently, I'm amazed they've only had one yellow

they have adapted better to the referee Wink

i agree though. ever time they just lie right on top of the tackled england player. makes any contest at the ruck completley impossible

by ChequeredJersey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:36 pm

Hood83 wrote:Awful fron England, we've messed up a load of chances, though credit to Scotland for putting pressure on us.

How can you possibly praise Scotland for being 20-0 (and lucky) down against an awful (in your words) England? That just doesn't make logical sense

by yappysnap Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:36 pm

Tom Youngs is utterly crap.

by Hood83 Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:37 pm

OK, Webber needs to step up as second choice. T Youngs throwing is not up to it.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:38 pm

poor youngs. his confidence must be absolutely shot

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:38 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:Brian Moore 'Maybe its me being an old git'

I really have warmed to his commentary, he is a big fan that commentates. Quality

Agree with that Nachos!

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:38 pm

how has there been only 1 yellow?

by ChequeredJersey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:39 pm

quinsforever wrote:how has there been only 1 yellow?

Mercy?

by TJ Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:39 pm

Scotland actualy look like they care in this half. However with the lead England are playing with fluency and confidence.

I think the real difference is Lancaster.

England look well coached and cohesive. Scotland do not look like a team

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:39 pm

I thought that Vunipola would have been MoTM, thought he had a great game myself.

by TJ Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:40 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:
Hood83 wrote:Awful fron England, we've messed up a load of chances, though credit to Scotland for putting pressure on us.

How can you possibly praise Scotland for being 20-0 (and lucky) down against an awful (in your words) England? That just doesn't make logical sense

Indeed. England will win well without doing anything much because scotland have been poor

by ALPanorak Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:40 pm

The wrong 'Youngs' has been dropped from the squad. Tom Youngs is a proven set piece liability and Dickson is just a terrible international 9.

by Hood83 Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:41 pm

Oh God - Dickson now, good first half, rubbish second.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:41 pm

well played mike brown. he must have superglue on his hands to not drop a ball in these conditions. naughty gloat, but i think he probably really really wants to play and score for england after having been ignored for so long. so i'll let him off this time Wink

by TJ Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:41 pm

yappysnap wrote:
ChequeredJersey wrote:Scotland have cheated so persistently, I'm amazed they've only had one yellow

I said earlier Garces loves the breakdown to be a mess, and doesn't care.

He is being consistent but is allowing more time to contest the ball than many refs. Not many breakdown penalties either side

by mystiroakey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:41 pm

well done England

If Scotland didn't show any heart at the end it may have been more.

But when you win to 0 its allways a worthy win.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:42 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:
quinsforever wrote:how has there been only 1 yellow?

Mercy?

maybe so. i've rarely seen a half where a team had only 1% of time in the opposition 22. amazing.

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:42 pm

Well done England. That was scarily easy for them. Never looked out of control even though I feel they didn't have their best game.

For Scotland, thought that Scott and Beattie (when he came on) were very good.

by yappysnap Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:43 pm

POSITIVES:

Good hands through phases
Good forward runs
Good Farrell/Care combo
All the youngsters looked comfy
Good defense

NEGATIVES
Poor mauling and lineout usage
Poor finishing
Poor attacking breakdown work
Tom Youngs

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:43 pm

Great result that at Murrayfield. Well played England, I had my worries about this one.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:44 pm

hard lines scotland. very brave to defend as well as they did.

by yappysnap Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:45 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:
Hood83 wrote:Awful fron England, we've messed up a load of chances, though credit to Scotland for putting pressure on us.

How can you possibly praise Scotland for being 20-0 (and lucky) down against an awful (in your words) England? That just doesn't make logical sense

I get the feeling Hood is a glass half empty kind of guy

by majesticimperialman Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:45 pm

England well deserved winners today.

Scotland gave away too may penalties at the brake down.

England cannot keep going in to games with out a spare specilaist 10 on the bench.

England do at least get a win and get their campain going for hope fully a winning tournament.

by ChequeredJersey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:46 pm

Scotland, you have all the components for a team, but you need to play your 16, not Ford, and Cusiter and a 6,7,8! Good breakdown work in places, but with no lineout and a pitch that annihalated the scrum as a weapon, it's not enough

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:47 pm

i think youngs has completely torpedoed his chances of international rugby for the foreseeable

by Scrumpy Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:48 pm

Good win.

BUT!

Still not convinced by Farrell, he acts immature at times and that will hurt England at some point.

Goode offers nothing, but we all knew that.

36 solid but not spectacular needs to be given a run next to Ford before SL has to make a decision.

by yappysnap Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:48 pm

Can Gusgott sound like he gives any less of a Poopie?

by ChequeredJersey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:48 pm

Ireland look hard. But our back 3 will help against their kicking game at least. How to kill the loop? And practice attack and defence in mauls.

by Barney McGrew did it Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:49 pm

What a dirge of a match. Although the new boys done good.

My personal highlight, though, was TY finally and completely showing the world (that's you Stewie) that he's not a test hooker. And I thank him for that. Tbh I don't think he'd make my local pub side.

by Scrumpy Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:49 pm

quinsforever wrote:i think youngs has completely torpedoed his chances of international rugby for the foreseeable

It's good to see a England No9 who wants to make the jersey their own.

by Duty281 Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:49 pm

England far from their best in woeful conditions, but professional enough to see off a woeful and inept Scotland.

Can't really say Lancaster will have learnt too much. The Care/Farrell combo is looking good, Brown is getting better every game (no try in his first 21 games, then 2 in 2!), Vunipola is cementing his place at no.8, and England, as a whole, look confident with the ball.

All hinges on the next game with Ireland. Should be a fantastic game that one; I hope the weather is good. England win that, which I think they're perfectly capable of doing, and the Championship is back on. Ireland win, and they're perfectly on course for the Grand Slam.

Can't wait!

PS: Quite impressed with Jonny May as well.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 6:49 pm

Youngs need to go back to the Tigers to get his confidence back, Scrum time he did better this week, our scrum started moving forwards when he came on.

But still think he should go back.

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