6N Round 4: The Calcutta Cup clash

by GLove39 Sun Mar 08, 2015 4:19 pm

First topic message reminder :

ENGLAND v SCOTLAND
Saturday 14 February 2015
KO 17:00 (GMT)
Twickers

Live on BBC1

Referee: Romain Poitey (FFR)
AR1: George Clancy (IRFU) vomit

AR2: Marius Mitrea (FIR)
TMO: Ben Skeen (NZR)

Teams:

ENGLAND
6N Round 4: The Calcutta Cup clash - Page 4 Alasta10

M Brown (Harlequins); A Watson (Bath), J Joseph (Bath), L Burrell (Northampton), J Nowell (Exeter); G Ford (Bath), B Youngs (Leicester); J Marler (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton), D Cole (Leicester), D Attwood (Bath), C Lawes (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), B Vunipola (Saracens).

Replacements: T Youngs (Leicester), M Vunipola (Saracens), K Brookes (Newcastle), G Parling (Leicester), T Wood (Northampton), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), D Cipriani (Sale), B Twelvetrees (Gloucester).

SCOTLAND
6N Round 4: The Calcutta Cup clash - Page 4 Tucker12

6N Round 4: The Calcutta Cup clash - Page 4 Tucker12

Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); Dougie Fife (Edinburgh), Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Tommy Seymour, Finn Russell (both Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (captn) (Gloucester); Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Saracens), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan (London Irish) David Denton (Edinburgh).

Replacements: Fraser Brown, Ryan Grant (both Glasgow Warriors), Geoff Cross (London Irish), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier), Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Greig Tonks (both Edinburgh)

The result of the Ireland game beforehand could make things very interesting from an English perspective. Tournament could be blown wide open, & see England looking for a big score with an eye to next weekend & things coming down to points difference.

For us, there's nothing at stake bar pride & some melted Indian Rupees.

Twickenham was always going to be tough, but given how things have gone this tournament I'm absolutely dreading this match.
Our record down South is more embarrassing than Natalie Bennett on LBC! 32 long years since we last won at Twickenham and in the last half century we've managed just one other win in 1971. Stretch things back to the whole century and we can double our total with wins in 1926 & 1938!

Fear we'll see a similar game to England - Italy, valiant start by us & some swashbuckling stuff before ultimately being crushed in the final quarter. Although if we 'defend' the maul like we did against Italy the score will be worse.

On the bright side though, scoring any points would be an improvement on last years Calcutta Cup match... Braveheart

Preconditions people? Am I being too gloomy?

by Tattie Scones RRN Wed Mar 11, 2015 12:50 pm

George Carlin wrote:
Jimpy wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
Jimpy wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
Jimpy wrote:
123456789 wrote:I reckon we can win this; but only if we can get up at them and ruffle them. I disagree with FES about this being similar to the way the England Italy game went. If we can get at them in the first 20 get doubts in their head, get the points ticking over then we'll be in with a great chance. Obviously it's easier said than done but if we can put competitive kicks on Nowell, Brown and Watson with Maitland and Seymour chasing well. I hate the term "organised chaos" but that is what we need to create for them. I think we've got them in the centres, Bennett showed in the European Cup for Glasgow that he's better than Joseph and I rate Dunbar over Burrell. In fact I think the backs in general are fairly well matched on the basis of the Glasgow Bath games but it's the forwards that need to step up. If Denton comes back in we have a chance with Beattie we may as well not bother turning up, Cowan needs to watch his penalties and Harley has to do what he does best. The front row just need to gain parity and not become a penalty mine. If we do that then we can win.

Scotland are much improved and even good to watch at times, when compared to the last 6N. But, for all their possession and new found skill, the bottom line is that they haven't anyone who could finish a four-piece jigsaw puzzle.
http://www.epcrugby.com/matchdaytv/?play=media&id=19428

Yes.... European club rugby isn't the same as international rugby though is it....
Of course not. Nor, however, can things like this be ignored when they involve almost entirely the same players and we have had to listen to a number of Jeff fans bang on about how intense this new and improved European competition is.

I'm not sure you can draw a correlation between club rugby and international rugby, when patently, at international level, Scotland aren't finishing off games they should be winning. So what if the likes of Glasgow are playing in this 'new improved' European competition and beating the likes of Bath? How is it relevant what a Scottish player does for Glasgow and then what he fails to do for Scotland itself?
Oh dear. Let's review, shall we? Your rather nasty comment was that Scotland "haven't anyone who could finish a four-piece jigsaw puzzle".

I am disagreeing based on the players that we now have (about which I am going to risk saying that I know a lot more than you) and the fact that in last year's AI series (the most recent international form we had prior to the 6N), Scotland didn't score a single try in 3 games whereas this year they scored 11 of them. Nobody is saying that Scotland are now world beaters, merely that the tired squirts of 'received wisdom' vitiol such as yours about Scotland's previous inability to score in a brothel now look a little dated.

I am going to stab wildly in the dark and suggest that you probably still think your comment is valid. And so the world turns.

Plus the fact that Scotland have scored a try or two in each of their three games so far.

by lostinwales Wed Mar 11, 2015 12:54 pm

Well so far both teams have conceded 5 tries. Scotland have scored 4. England 8 (no thanks to some interesting refereeing decisions).

My best bet is for Scotland to score one or two, England to score 3 or 4

by RuggerRadge2611 Wed Mar 11, 2015 1:08 pm

Cyril wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Stuart Hogg making headlines (and causing defence coach Matt Taylor to do some damage control):

Full-back Stuart Hogg grabbed a few headlines yesterday morning when he was reported as saying that the Scottish team are not taken seriously south of the border.

“The English are a fantastic team but they’re pretty much all about themselves at times,” said Hogg. “They don’t really respect us and we find that pretty frustrating. There will be a certain number of people that do respect us but, no matter how good our performance is, on the whole they don’t.”
That bit sounds quite needy. I'm not sure I'd want one of my players saying that. It's like he thinks Scotland need to prove something to their big brother in the south. He would be better off saying something along the lines of "We don't care what other people think".

Hogg seems quite niggly off and on the pitch.

Maybe he's been reading The Rugby Paper as they've been getting into Bannockburn and Culloden mode again!

Culloden wasn't a Scottish/England thing. More of a Catholic/Protestant thing.

by Weegie Wizard Wed Mar 11, 2015 1:23 pm

What I don't get is that people are ignoring or failing to spot that Hogg himself says it is up to us to make England or anyone else respect us. It is right there in the same article.

Just because the sub-editor made the headline 'The English are @rseholes' that doesn't mean that was Hogg's point.

by Cyril Wed Mar 11, 2015 1:35 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
Cyril wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Stuart Hogg making headlines (and causing defence coach Matt Taylor to do some damage control):

Full-back Stuart Hogg grabbed a few headlines yesterday morning when he was reported as saying that the Scottish team are not taken seriously south of the border.

“The English are a fantastic team but they’re pretty much all about themselves at times,” said Hogg. “They don’t really respect us and we find that pretty frustrating. There will be a certain number of people that do respect us but, no matter how good our performance is, on the whole they don’t.”
That bit sounds quite needy. I'm not sure I'd want one of my players saying that. It's like he thinks Scotland need to prove something to their big brother in the south. He would be better off saying something along the lines of "We don't care what other people think".

Hogg seems quite niggly off and on the pitch.

Maybe he's been reading The Rugby Paper as they've been getting into Bannockburn and Culloden mode again!

Culloden wasn't a Scottish/England thing. More of a Catholic/Protestant thing.

You need have a word with Colin Boag then! Isn't he Scottish?

by SecretFly Wed Mar 11, 2015 1:38 pm

Jimpy are you the English lad Hogg was talking about? Wink

by SecretFly Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:03 pm

It'll matter zilch, Jimpy. Zilch. Correct.

But my reading is that nerves are being 'touched' all over the place on this one. It's not just the Scottish being 'sensitive' to what might be thought about them. It's a free for all.

by thomh Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:17 pm

Surely the obvious point is that, as good as Glasgow have been - specifically in that game at home to Bath - they're only one side. England can select from sides that beat all of Leinster, Munster, Toulon, Clermont, Toulouse, Ulster and... Glasgow at some point in the group stages.

Scotland have some terrifying players and shouldn't have lost all three. It will be tough this Saturday. That said, the form of one side at club level isn't a huge factor, I don't think.

by SecretFly Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:23 pm

thomh wrote:

Scotland have some terrifying players

Terrifying or terrific? I just want to know whether to let the young ones watch Wink

by Guest Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:26 pm

SecretFly wrote:
thomh wrote:

Scotland have some terrifying players

Terrifying or terrific? I just want to know whether to let the young ones watch

Pretty sure he means terrifying. Have you seen that prop?! Him with the beard of bees. Terrifying!

by Guest Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:28 pm

Geoff Cross

Spoiler:

by sirtidychris Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:37 pm

Before every England game the media stir up anti English sentiment fueled by a sound bite from some prat e.g Hogg, Gatland, Campese etc etc. Truth is everyone hates England, everyone wants to be beat us and that will never change as every new generation of children will be reminded of England's less than glorious history. I usually find this takes the form of us being arrogant or lacking respect, which couldn't be further from the truth at the moment under lancaster. I was getting fed up of being constantly humble and apologetic releasing bland sound bites when other nations can say what they want about us so am pleased with Robshaws wales tunnel stand and Rowntrees latest up yours.

The grand slam for England is soo bloomin hard to achieve as most six nations sides come out like men possessed against us playing a level of intensity above normal (IMO anyway) with away games being especially hostile, if we dont come out 100% for 80 minutes against Scotland, France, Ireland, Wales we are stuffed.

Anyway roll on this weekend come on ENGLAND !!!!

by SecretFly Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:43 pm

Griff wrote:
SecretFly wrote:
thomh wrote:

Scotland have some terrifying players

Terrifying or terrific? I just want to know whether to let the young ones watch

Pretty sure he means terrifying. Have you seen that prop?! Him with the beard of bees. Terrifying!

I don't think big Paul Bunyan types are scary actually. It's more the gangsta/Mafiosi types that terrify me. Brown with his Sexy Beast swagger. "Wot you fackin' looking at , mate? Oil be 'aving some of you if you keep it up, my son."

Or Parra "Say hello to my little friends (the forwards)."

Or Madigan's Hitler youth look: "Zeig Heil!!!"

Oh you gotta keep your eye on the smaller rascals Wink

by **LondonTiger** Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:39 pm

Bomber naming his side at 4pm.

Expect to see Lawes and Brown in the starting line-up, Brookes, Parling & Wood on the bench. Kruis, Goode, Easter all drop out completely.

by No 7&1/2 Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:44 pm

Pretty harsh on Kruis if that's true as I thought he was one of the few to put his hand up. Still holding out hope for Slade on the bench.

by **RDW** Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:45 pm

I've been impressed by Kruis this championship - he doesn't stand out like Lawes but he looks a tough son of a gun that puts a power of work in.

Kind of like Jim Hamilton but more athletic, skillful, powerful and gives away less penalties! Rolling Eyes

by Jimpy Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:51 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:I've been impressed by Kruis this championship - he doesn't stand out like Lawes but he looks a tough son of a gun that puts a power of work in.

Kind of like Jim Hamilton but more athletic, skillful, powerful and gives away less penalties!

LOL! That's pretty harsh on Jim - mind you, watching him lately, for club and country, he does seem to bimble about a bit aimlessly...

by **RDW** Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:54 pm

Any Saracans fans able to give an insight on how big Jim is doing?

He has had some good games for Scotland (he was imperious when we beat Ireland at Murrayfield a few years ago) but some bad ones too where he has looked completely off the pace.

He is guaranteed at least 2 or 3 stupid penalties a game too.

I think we need him to start though - for all his faults, he is very good at the close quarters work, and will help our maul defence a great deal.

Just don't ask him to run too much.

by jimbopip Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:12 pm

I'm slightly concerned by Frodo's press conference (and not just because it means he's playing).
Listening to him it sounds like there will be a lot of kicking going on Doh

Looking at the way he kicked away possession in the previous matches that doesn't bode well.
Also, he alluded to Vern going through video analysis individually with players, but not just recent games : going way back. Now, I'm not that insightful but if a player has been doing the same thing for a long time now then maybe it's ingrained in the way they play. Old dogs: new tricks as it were. Somehow I don't think that showing a 55 minute montage of players skipping past Tim Visser will have him tackling like a demon on Saturday.
We're doomed, doomed I say.

by tigertattie Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:34 pm

If we kick the ball to england all day

or

If England play a forward orientated game

or

we continue giving away dozens of penalties

then

Scotland may as well drop their trousers, bend over and take the rogering England will hand out!

by Gooseberry Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:36 pm

LondonTiger wrote:Bomber naming his side at 4pm.

Expect to see Lawes and Brown in the starting line-up, Brookes, Parling & Wood on the bench. Kruis, Goode, Easter all drop out completely.

Croft out too.

The only surprise is burrell retaining his starting place on both fitness and form fronts. Maybe if barrit wasnt broken again he wouldve displaced him but it does seem they want to stick with a primarily running 12.

by sensisball Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:37 pm

Yes the old video analysis can be overdone methinks, particularly if every player having it drummed into him what NOT to do, surely they should all be working on what to do, keep it simple, FFS !

Also if kick chase is the game plan can we have a new pair of word class kicking half backs, otherwise I don't think it will go very well for us! Russell is the best attacking ten we have had for a long time but he ain't no Sexton or Biggar, so why get him to try to play that game?

Oh I know we have a 9 that wont give him quick ball and poses no running threat so he will have little room to play his natural running game, ah it all makes sense now!!!!!!!!!!

by **LondonTiger** Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:40 pm

Gooseberry wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:Bomber naming his side at 4pm.

Expect to see Lawes and Brown in the starting line-up, Brookes, Parling & Wood on the bench. Kruis, Goode, Easter all drop out completely.

Croft out too.

The only surprise is burrell retaining his starting place on both fitness and form fronts. Maybe if barrit wasnt broken again he wouldve displaced him but it does seem they want to stick with a primarily running 12.

Did not mention Croft or Thomas dropping out as that is injury related - though Wood for Croft would have happened anyway in all likelihood.

by **LondonTiger** Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:00 pm

http://www.englandrugby.com/news/brown-and-lawes-return-face-scotland/

As expected

by R!skysports Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:11 pm

When is the Scotland ~~farce~~, sorry squad coming out?

by bedfordwelsh Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:12 pm

LondonTiger wrote:http://www.englandrugby.com/news/brown-and-lawes-return-face-scotland/

As expected

Bit harsh on Easter I think

by **LondonTiger** Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:14 pm

Riskysports wrote:When is the Scotland ~~farce~~, sorry squad coming out?

"around" lunchtime tomorrow

by dummy_half Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:15 pm

No surprise to see Lawes come back - Had a couple of games for Saints and apparently played pretty well. IIRC, he wasn't out injured for very long (about 4 or 5 weeks), so not such a big issue to come back and still have match sharpness. While Kruis has been OK, Lawes is a different class, and was for me one of the big misses in Dublin.

Brown obviously back, as he is an easy first choice at the moment.

Slightly more surprised to see both Easter and Kruis dropped from the 23 - not sure that I would have Parling ahead of either of them as a 2nd row replacement, while Easter would obviously also provide good cover for 8, which Wood doesn't really do.

Would have liked to see either Slade or Burgess on the bench instead of 36, more to give them experience than because of 36s performances so far.

by **LondonTiger** Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:17 pm

bedfordwelsh wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:http://www.englandrugby.com/news/brown-and-lawes-return-face-scotland/

As expected

Bit harsh on Easter I think

As he was the second row bench cover, not really.

by beshocked Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:18 pm

Real shame Kruis has been dropped - he hasn't played badly yet he gets the boot.

Hopefully Lawes will be more effective than he was vs Quins and Gloucester.

The dropping of Kruis will have an unfortunate knock on effect for England as it will reduce the gametime of Itoje who has been enjoying a run of starts during the IW.

by **LondonTiger** Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:21 pm

beshocked wrote:
The dropping of Kruis will have an unfortunate knock on effect for England as it will reduce the gametime of Itoje who has been enjoying a run of starts during the IW.

Why will it? Next two weekends are LV matches, so surely Kruis will not feature in those.

by lostinwales Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:21 pm

36's performances have been fine. Burgess no way. Not yet.

Eastmond and Slade are probably next in line. Disappointed not to see May back, but then the arguments over him are of the same scale as Croft and 36. The kicking game doesnt work without decent chasers and that didnt happen last time out. I'd drop Watson tbh. I think he has a hell of a future but again not convinced of the right now bit.

Parling lucky too. He has been out a long time, and Kruis/ Easter offer back row as well as lock cover.

by **LondonTiger** Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:27 pm

lostinwales wrote:
Parling lucky too. He has been out a long time, and Kruis/ Easter offer back row as well as lock cover.

Lawes was out for Longer. Parling was injured in ECC at end of Jan back 5 weeks later with MoTM performance vs Sale. As soon as Lawes and Parling had demonstrated fitness they were likely to be seriously considered. Perhpas Lawes only would have featured if england had beaten Ireland, but they did not.

Parling is a guy these boards love to hate. Coaches seem to like him though and Rob Baxter is no idiot yet has spent big to recruit him. England lacked a little in on-field leadership last time out, and Parling brings that by the bucket load.

by bedfordwelsh Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:28 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
bedfordwelsh wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:http://www.englandrugby.com/news/brown-and-lawes-return-face-scotland/

As expected

Bit harsh on Easter I think

As he was the second row bench cover, not really.

Did he fill that role though, he came on at No8 every game didn't and played really well I thought, think he was only ever a stop gap but still think hes played well for you guys.

by lostinwales Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:29 pm

I am not doubting Parling's ability but was thinking that he had a long time out in the autumn with the concussion problems. There was just that and the back row cover that Kruis and Easter offer.

I know that Lawes has played 6 but we all know how well that worked last time out.

by beshocked Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:31 pm

Londontiger fair enough I guess. I just want to see Itoje continue to develop as he looks like one of the brightest English prospects at the moment.

All the talk has been about Burgess and his development but Itoje was drafted into the Saxons with no one batting an eyelid at his inclusion. World cup is probably too soon for Itoje but wouldn't surprise me if he's in the England squad for next year's 6 nations.

by lostinwales Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:31 pm

bedfordwelsh wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:
bedfordwelsh wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:http://www.englandrugby.com/news/brown-and-lawes-return-face-scotland/

As expected

Bit harsh on Easter I think

As he was the second row bench cover, not really.

Did he fill that role though, he came on at No8 every game didn't and played really well I thought, think he was only ever a stop gap but still think hes played well for you guys.

Apart from getting in the way Smile

- He has been coming on for Kruis and playing in the 2nd row I believe. Big bad Billy has been playing every minute so far.

by **LondonTiger** Wed Mar 11, 2015 5:37 pm

beshocked wrote:Londontiger fair enough I guess. I just want to see Itoje continue to develop as he looks like one of the brightest English prospects at the moment.

All the talk has been about Burgess and his development but Itoje was drafted into the Saxons with no one batting an eyelid at his inclusion. World cup is probably too soon for Itoje but wouldn't surprise me if he's in the England squad for next year's 6 nations.

I think Itoje needs to spend the summer doing speedwork. I struggle to see him hitting the top heights as a second row, but could as a 6.

by SecretFly Wed Mar 11, 2015 6:13 pm

Scotland should be thankful this kid ain't old enough!:

by **LondonTiger** Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:43 pm

He was about twice the size of the opposition backs - and despite his 4 tries Oakham only just squeaked through.

by **RDW** Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:54 pm

We see plenty of these child gigantors but not many of them actually make it - let's just see what happens when he's playing against people his own size!

by SecretFly Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:57 pm

More the speed, confidence, dynamism, drive that I was referring to. Of course he's still a kid and has a long way to go if he intends going as far as he can... but for now, it wasn't too bad a day out for him - opposition backs or not.

by Sgt_Pooly Wed Mar 11, 2015 8:01 pm

SecretFly wrote:Scotland should be thankful this kid ain't old enough!:

An International sprinter can look impressive when the opposition can't tackle. Sub 11 secs at 15 is quite impressive though although jury is out on his actual rugby skills.

Wood was always coming in for Croft who should have been nowhere near the 23 anyway. Good to see Lawes and Brown back and Parling is a good pro to have around.

Decent squad bar Twelvetrees who's inclusion is baffling. Real shame for Slade who I'd love to see involved as the 2nd distributor and left foot kicking option.

by **RDW** Wed Mar 11, 2015 8:01 pm

No denying that - let's hope we are still talking about him in 5 years time!

by GLove39 Wed Mar 11, 2015 8:46 pm

Speaking of kids to watch...

by SecretFly Wed Mar 11, 2015 8:57 pm

He's certainly got all the moves. Especially love the oh so casual mature put-down at 1.19. That in itself hints that he might go a long way.

Not sure if I'll be around to see him in his prime though!

by GLove39 Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:10 pm

Think the 'don't argue' at 1:57 is the highlight for me!

by thomh Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:22 pm

SecretFly wrote:
thomh wrote:

Scotland have some terrifying players

Terrifying or terrific? I just want to know whether to let the young ones watch

Ha, I mean terrifying to defend against. Not pleasant to see Hogg get the ball in space when you're playing Scotland.

by yappysnap Thu Mar 12, 2015 10:18 am

Sounds like we're getting that anger back into the side ready for the weekend, shame it's two weeks too late but I guess better late then never:

England's efforts to fine tune their ruck discipline led to a feisty training session on Wednesday as they prepared for Saturday's Six Nations clash against Scotland at Twickenham.

Stuart Lancaster's side head into Saturday's match with an emphasis on improving their work around the breakdown as they look to get back to winning ways following their loss in Dublin. They conceded 13 penalties against Ireland and the starting XV for the Calcutta Cup clash were put through their paces in training by those who are either on the bench for Saturday's match or who missed out on selection.

The 15 v 15 match was refereed by J.P. Doyle and it was feisty enough for England coach Lancaster to halt to ensure they "didn't play the game too early". He added: "Both sides had an edge about them. You can describe it as a backlash or whatever you want but we had 15 v 15 training today and I had to calm it down."

The starting XV for the Calcutta Cup match faced a pack of Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Kieran Brookes, Geoff Parling, George Kruis, Nick Easter, Tom Wood and Matt Kvesic. The backline featured Danny Cipriani at fly-half, Henry Slade at 12 and Sam Burgess at outside centre.

"The non-15, if you like, had a point to prove but also wanted to create some intensity in the session, particularly at the breakdown, to make sure we were accurate as a team," Lancaster said. "They did that and were a huge challenge for us defensively. Equally the team that was selected, we had talked in the review of the Ireland game about being accurate at the breakdown and sharp.

"All of those components came to play and it was the type of session you need sometimes in the lead up to a big game."

The exercise also allowed Lancaster to run the rule over those who are currently not involved in the matchday squad. England have just five Test matches until the start of the World Cup and such is the competitiveness of the inter-group matches, Lancaster will not contemplate bringing in outside opposition to keep his team match-fit. It was a training session that was made possible by the absence of a Test last weekend.

"We were always going to have it," Lancaster said. "You wanted to put the starting team under pressure so that they get used to making decisions under pressure and the more you can replicate that in training, hopefully when the game comes around it comes easy.

"You can't do it very often because there is always usually a game you have just played. But because we didn't have the game and we had given the boys who had played a bit of time to recover, then it enabled us to. I am confident we'll be in the right place for Saturday."

Lancaster has changed two for the Scotland match with Courtney Lawes and Mike Brown starting. Lawes will call the lineout against Scotland and Lancaster is looking forward to having Brown's "winner's mentality" back in the squad.

"When it comes down to the fine margins on selection, technically, tactically, physically, you can look at the numbers, the intangible is that and he has it," Lancaster said. "Lots of players do. He is one that definitely does. Even though he is not that vocal off the field, just his sheer competitiveness is what you want in your team."

Any one else interested to see how that non-starting XV played? Match ups like LawesvKruis, RobshawvKvesic, VunipolavEaster and the 10&12 combinations must have been very tasty! Bet guys like Easter were giving it out to any one within range, he's just the right kind of player to have in a training squad.

by EWT Spoons Thu Mar 12, 2015 10:26 am

Looking forward to seeing what team we announce this afternoon, I can't imagine there will be many surprises.

Expect something along the lines of:

1. Dickinson
2. Ford (if fit, Brown if not)
3. Murray
4. Hamilton (if fit, Swinson if not)
5. Gray
6. Harley
7. Cowan
8. Denton
9. Laidlaw
10. Russell
11. Seymour
12. Dunbar
13. Bennett
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

I'd like to see Toolis given a shot ahead of Hamilton and Swinson, but that could be my Edinburgh bias. The shortcomings of the other two are well known, but I suspect Vern will want some experience in the 2nd row.

Obviously I think we all would like to see SHC given a shot, but the chat this week in the papers is about Laidlaw being in the team, so seems pretty certain SHC will be on the bench.

Can't see us getting anything from this game, we have a shocking record at Twickenham and England should be too strong for us. If they get their maul working, then I really fear for us. Normally I'm usually ridiculously optimistic around this time before Scotland play, but I can't see anything other than a loss.

As an aside, did anyone see the highlights from the under 18 game? Both teams scored some impressive tries, but the defence was largely non existent. Would be nice if some of the players progressed to full internationals.

by Sponsored content