6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February

by **George Carlin** Wed 20 Jan 2016, 12:13 pm

First topic message reminder :

6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February - Page 9 Scot_f10

6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February - Page 9 Englan10

SCOTLAND v ENGLAND
6 February 2016
KO: 16:50 GMT
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Live on BBC, RTE, FR2, DMAX / ITV(H)

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Touch judges: [tbc]
Television match official: [tbc]

A. Head to Head

133 Played 133
42 Won 73
18 Drawn 18
73 Lost 42
1,132 Points 1,547

B. Recent Form

14 March 2015
Twickenham, London
25 – 13 to England

8 February 2014
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
0 – 20 to England

2 February 2013
Twickenham, London
38 – 18 to England

4 February 2012
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
6 – 13 to England

1 October 2011
Eden Park, Auckland
16 – 12 to England

C. Teams

SCOTLAND
6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February - Page 9 Pia_mi10

6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February - Page 9 Pia_mi10

15. Stuart Hogg
14. Sean Maitland
13. Mark Bennett
12. Matt Scott
11. Tommy Seymour
10. Finn Russell
09. Greig Laidlaw (captain)

01. Alasdair Dickinson
02. Ross Ford
03. Willem Nel
04. Richie Gray
05. Jonny Gray
06. John Barclay
07. John Hardie
08. David Denton

16. Stuart McInally
17. Gordon Reid
18. Zander Fagerson
19. Tim Swinson
20. Blair Cowan
21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22. Duncan Weir
23. Duncan Taylor

ENGLAND
6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February - Page 9 Daisy_11

6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February - Page 9 Daisy_11

15. Mike Brown
14. Anthony Watson
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Owen Farrell
11. Jack Nowell
10. George Ford
09. Danny Care

01. Joe Marler
02. Dylan Hartley
03. Dan Cole
04. Joe Launchbury
05. George Kruis
06. Chris Robshaw
07. James Haskell
08. Billy Vunipola

16. Jamie George
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Paul Hill
19. Courtney Lawes
20. Jack Clifford
21. Ben Youngs
22. Alex Goode
23. Ollie Devoto

by funnyExiledScot Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:46 am

I think Scotland should get parity at the scrum, but I expect our lineout to struggle - it always does. As for the breakdown, yes we'll likely have Hardie and Cowan in tandem but we'll still need to win the collisions for them to be effective and that's where I think we'll struggle (as we did against Samoa in the World Cup). Difficult for those guys to get over the ball if England are on the front foot. We'll need to work hard at stopping the Vunipola brothers in their tracks, and there's no questionning the engine of this England pack which will likely include Launchbury and Robshaw - we'll hardly top those guys for workrate albeit Jonny Gray will give it a good go.

We'll be more competitive than last time (when we were drubbed 20-0). I don't see a winning margin like that, and I do think we'll trouble the scoreboard this time. The gap in skills between Weir (who started that game) and Russell (who will start this one) is vast, and our pack is 100 times better than the one that Scott Johnson selected two years ago (with included Low, Grant, Swinson, Hamilton, Wilson and Fusaro, none of whom should get close to the pack on Saturday). Still, I'd expect England to have between 55%-60% of the ball which will likely be enough for them to get across the line.

by Geordie Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:47 am

I feel like ive just been publicly flogged for that comment Crying or Very sad

by Cumbrian Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:48 am

sensisball wrote:It's also worth noting that John Hardie is actually a really quick and genuine 7 who could have a field day at the breakdown.
it's also worth noting that WP Nel demolished all the loose heads he came up against in the WC including the Q F against Australia. The Australia that man shamed the English scrum in their pool match. England will be using the same personnel as loose head props on Saturday. Just worth noting.

I see you you did there. Very Happy

It is also worth noting that I am well aware of John Hardie and respect his abilities. But it is also worth noting that England have faced many teams with genuine fetchers in such as Warburton, Tipuric, Dusautoir and Hooper and still won. We've been badly affected by people employing fetchers, but we don't lose every time we come up against one. I believe that particular pudding has been over egged a little bit.

It's also worth noting ( Very Happy

)) that although England will indeed be using the same personal at LH, they will have a more balance front five without Tom Youngs in it come scrum time. I like the fact that everybody is underestimating the English scrum, it could give us a surprise advantage. It has rarely ever been as bad as it was in the World Cup and I don't expect it to be again.

by **RDW** Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:49 am

It is also worth noting that John Lacey is the ref, so any feckin thing could happen when it comes to the scrums!

by RuggerRadge2611 Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:51 am

GeordieFalcon wrote:I feel like ive just been publicly flogged for that comment

Stop acting like you didn't enjoy it! 6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February - Page 9 Whipping

by funnyExiledScot Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:54 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:It is also worth noting that John Lacey is the ref, so any feckin thing could happen when it comes to the scrums!

He's Irish though, so he should want Scotland to win.....

by RuggerRadge2611 Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:56 am

England team announced on Thursday I think, but any idea when Scotland team will be announced?

by Geordie Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:57 am

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:I feel like ive just been publicly flogged for that comment

Stop acting like you didn't enjoy it!

Well maybe a little.... devil

by Mad for Chelsea Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:57 am

ugh, Lacey. That's spoiled my week. Thanks...

by Geordie Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:58 am

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:England team announced on Thursday I think, but any idea when Scotland team will be announced?

It is but as per usual the Telegraph has published the team already...and they're usually bang on.

by **RDW** Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:59 am

Thursday for Scotland

by **George Carlin** Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:59 am

funnyExiledScot wrote:
RubyGuby wrote:Are you English or Scottish George?

He's from Ayr. That means he operates on a higher plain.

6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February - Page 9 Medita10

by RubyGuby Wed 03 Feb 2016, 12:15 pm

George Carlin wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:
RubyGuby wrote:Are you English or Scottish George?

He's from Ayr. That means he operates on a higher plain.

by EST Wed 03 Feb 2016, 12:29 pm

GeordieFalcon, to add to the flogging - there is no suggestion from this Scottish fan that Scotland will have a distinct advantage at the scrums/breakdowns.

Lancaster's muddled thinking and the general malaise that overcame England during the WC is not reflective of the quality of personnel in the likely England team, in the recent past I can think of very few occasions that Scotland has ever achieved dominance over England in the areas described above.

My hope for Scotland is (if they pick two 7's as seems likely) that they try and isolate England's ball carriers as much as possible, this will be difficult given the carrying threats throught the England pack. Cruically, when we have the ball, Hardie, Cowan/Barclay need to focus on linking with their backs, shifting the point of contact and not getting bogged down in an arm wrestle that we will inevitably lose. Our backrow wont win in a power game, but they might just have the edge on terms of skill over Robshaw and Haskell.

by Cowshot Wed 03 Feb 2016, 12:57 pm

One of the most interesting 6Ns in years coming up I think. This game is a case in point. I have no idea at all what England side will be selected or how it will play in part at least because I don't know EJ well enough to tell who he's winding up when.

Scotland looked pretty darned good at times in the WC and SHOULD have played in the semi, and they seem to be adopting a modern, professional approach rather than relying on raw emotion. I'm very impressed by Laidlaw.

If I have to guess: England, probably, but if the Scots click early and stop us settling - they really could do us.

by yappysnap Wed 03 Feb 2016, 2:21 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:
RuggerRadge2611 wrote:England team announced on Thursday I think, but any idea when Scotland team will be announced?

It is but as per usual the Telegraph has published the team already...and they're usually bang on.

Could you post it up GF?

by BamBam Wed 03 Feb 2016, 2:27 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:So...judging on the Telegraphs piece (and they're usually bang on its)

1 Marler
2 Hartley (C)
3 Cole
4 Launchbury
5 Kruis
6 Robshaw
7 Haskell
8 Billy V

9 Care
10 Ford
11 Nowell
12 Farrell
13 Joseph
14 Watson
15 Brown

16 George
17 Mako
18 Hill
19 Lawes/Itoje
20 Clifford
21 Youngs
22 Devoto
23 Goode

Quoted with the bench fixed

by RuggerRadge2611 Wed 03 Feb 2016, 2:32 pm

BamBam wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:So...judging on the Telegraphs piece (and they're usually bang on its)

1 Marler
2 Hartley (C)
3 Cole
4 Launchbury
5 Kruis
6 Robshaw
7 Haskell
8 Billy V

9 Care
10 Ford
11 Nowell
12 Farrell
13 Joseph
14 Watson
15 Brown

16 George
17 Mako
18 Hill
19 Lawes/Itoje
20 Clifford
21 Youngs
22 Devoto
23 Goode

Quoted with the bench fixed

So what do you guys really feel about Farrell at 12? Personally I'm fairly happy that Marler is starting. Mako IMO is a better player in the loose and at the scrum.

by lostinwales Wed 03 Feb 2016, 2:44 pm

Farrell at 12 I'll live with. It is not ideal but there isn't a lot of choice right now, as seen by the choice of Devoto on the bench. It will be nice to see Devoto come on at some point, preferably when we are well ahead....

Marler will be fine and I'd guess its a result of what Eddie has seen in training plus wanting Mako as an impact sub.

More upset over Goode on the bench when we could have Daly. Daly could scare a tiring defense, the introduction of Goode will just cause laughter.

by EST Wed 03 Feb 2016, 2:45 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
BamBam wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:So...judging on the Telegraphs piece (and they're usually bang on its)

1 Marler
2 Hartley (C)
3 Cole
4 Launchbury
5 Kruis
6 Robshaw
7 Haskell
8 Billy V

9 Care
10 Ford
11 Nowell
12 Farrell
13 Joseph
14 Watson
15 Brown

16 George
17 Mako
18 Hill
19 Lawes/Itoje
20 Clifford
21 Youngs
22 Devoto
23 Goode

Quoted with the bench fixed

So what do you guys really feel about Farrell at 12? Personally I'm fairly happy that Marler is starting. Mako IMO is a better player in the loose and at the scrum.

I'm not an England fan, but I can't see that Farrell will let anybody down. He played at 12 in Lancasters first game at Murrayfield and has plenty of experience playing outside of Ford during the u20 WC. Sure, he isn't as powerful and destructive as Tuilagi, nor does he have the creativity of Slade, but for the job he is there to do, kick for territory and distribute when its on, i'm sure he will do fine.

by majesticimperialman Wed 03 Feb 2016, 2:56 pm

I personaly do not want Farrell and Ford playing together ie Ford qt 10 Farrell at 12. is a no no for me. I would rather see Ford 10 Farrell on the bench. or Farrell at 10 and Ford on the bench.

The only time i want too see this is do to injurie.

lets not get into the ground of playing players out of position. Like Brown on the wing, it is not right in my opinion.

by Geordie Wed 03 Feb 2016, 3:33 pm

Going back to Haskell

Im picking him up as being very good if he plays a basic game...however the alternative is...he has a Haskell, gets penalised out of the game, and gets owned at the breakdown!!!

by RuggerRadge2611 Wed 03 Feb 2016, 3:40 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Going back to Haskell

Im picking him up as being very good if he plays a basic game...however the alternative is...he has a Haskell, gets penalised out of the game, and gets owned at the breakdown!!!

He's a big lump, and a brute of a man. However if Robshaw isn't a 7 I'm not sure how anyone can say Haskell is a specialist 7.

He may wear that number on his back for Wasps but he doesn't possess any of the key attributes that we associate with world class 7s like Pocock or Warburton, or even Armitage.

by king_carlos Wed 03 Feb 2016, 3:46 pm

It's interesting how the frustrations of Haskell at 7 and Farrell at 12 have been tempered by it being 'released' bit by bit as side notes in interviews. When the press first started suggesting it a week or 2 back many of us, myself included, were indignant.

Having been desperate to see the back row sorted and the centre conundrum solved it appeared that Jones was simply planning to go back to Lancasters plan or Ford/Farrell at 10/12, then fix the back row by switching numbers on guys backs.

By releasing that early in bits and pieces it's calmed down frustrations with the plan nicely and many fans are now much more, if not completely behind the idea given the first match is away from home and we lack options at 12.

It would have been interesting to see how we'd have reacted if the first real news of Farrell at 12 and Haskell at 7 had been on Thursday when the team sheet is released. I expect most of us (again myself included!) would still have been complaining about it right up to KO of Saturday rather than getting excited about the 6 Nations...

by yappysnap Wed 03 Feb 2016, 3:49 pm

Difficult to really judge any of these selections until we see the tactics that Jones has worked on in camp.

Interestingly that team chosen is probably exactly what Lancaster would have picked for this game (bar perhaps swapping the 9's) with the injuries that have occurred.

The focus will be on the coaches here. We know these players, have seen what most of them can produce for England over the last few seasons. So it's now up to Jones and co to take them up a notch.

by king_carlos Wed 03 Feb 2016, 3:52 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Going back to Haskell

Im picking him up as being very good if he plays a basic game...however the alternative is...he has a Haskell, gets penalised out of the game, and gets owned at the breakdown!!!

He's a big lump, and a brute of a man. However if Robshaw isn't a 7 I'm not sure how anyone can say Haskell is a specialist 7.

He may wear that number on his back for Wasps but he doesn't possess any of the key attributes that we associate with world class 7s like Pocock or Warburton, or even Armitage.

Jones has stated he will bring more guys through as the tournament goes on, it's just finding the right time to do so. He has stated unequivocally that Itoje and Daly will feature at some point in the 6 Nations for instance. It's very much the feeling that he's picked a side purely with going to Murrayfield and winning in mind then will build from there.

With Italy next up after Scotland I wouldn't be at all surprised to see some shuffling in the starting XV to give guys from the bench a chance - i.e. if Mako benches for Scotalnd he may start against Italy. If Clifford and/or Devoto go well from the bench then they could be in-line for a start too.

Similarly I'd be very surprised if Daly and Itoje aren't on the bench against Italy.

by yappysnap Wed 03 Feb 2016, 3:54 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Going back to Haskell

Im picking him up as being very good if he plays a basic game...however the alternative is...he has a Haskell, gets penalised out of the game, and gets owned at the breakdown!!!

He's a big lump, and a brute of a man. However if Robshaw isn't a 7 I'm not sure how anyone can say Haskell is a specialist 7.

He may wear that number on his back for Wasps but he doesn't possess any of the key attributes that we associate with world class 7s like Pocock or Warburton, or even Armitage.

I assume it'll be more like the SA or French approach to the breakdown. Lots of physical players who may not be quite as good technically at turn overs, but are very good at disrupting opposition ball, holding players up and ripping the ball in the tackle.

Expect lots of choke tackles.

by RuggerRadge2611 Wed 03 Feb 2016, 3:58 pm

yappysnap wrote:

The focus will be on the coaches here. We know these players, have seen what most of them can produce for England over the last few seasons. So it's now up to Jones and co to take them up a notch.

D'you think he's had enough time to do that?

If/When England win this weekend, as I said it's on the strength of their players not Jones. As you have eluded to this is Lancaster's England more or less but with "The Hooligan" Hartley as captain.

The Choke tackle would normally worry me. However our primary carriers, Ford, Nel, Gray, Gray and Denton aren't normally ones to get themselves isolated on their feet and then dragged into a maul situation.

An English rolling maul however would worry me hugely. Scotland did not defend rolling maul's well at all in the RWC and I would assume with Borthwick's influence the lineout will be a powerful attacking platfrom for England and expect us to be kicked back into the corners if our discipline is poor.

by Geordie Wed 03 Feb 2016, 4:11 pm

yappysnap wrote:
RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Going back to Haskell

Im picking him up as being very good if he plays a basic game...however the alternative is...he has a Haskell, gets penalised out of the game, and gets owned at the breakdown!!!

He's a big lump, and a brute of a man. However if Robshaw isn't a 7 I'm not sure how anyone can say Haskell is a specialist 7.

He may wear that number on his back for Wasps but he doesn't possess any of the key attributes that we associate with world class 7s like Pocock or Warburton, or even Armitage.

I assume it'll be more like the SA or French approach to the breakdown. Lots of physical players who may not be quite as good technically at turn overs, but are very good at disrupting opposition ball, holding players up and ripping the ball in the tackle.

Expect lots of choke tackles.

I think that's exactly what they'll be trying to do Yappy.

by RuggerRadge2611 Wed 03 Feb 2016, 4:14 pm

I'm not sure how much dividends that strategy will pay. Our pack I reckon will probably be giving away a good few KGs and I reckon a strong maul will really cause us problems.

by yappysnap Wed 03 Feb 2016, 4:49 pm

Yep mauls, choke tackles, and tackling high to rip the ball will probably be some of our primary tactics. In the backs Farrell and Joseph are both good at the choke tackles too.

Could make it a little boring to watch though.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 03 Feb 2016, 5:01 pm

yappysnap wrote:Yep mauls, choke tackles, and tackling high to rip the ball will probably be some of our primary tactics. In the backs Farrell and Joseph are both good at the choke tackles too.

Could make it a little boring to watch though.

England have been coming to Murrayfield and winning ugly for 40 years. Why break a habit!!?

by Nematode Wed 03 Feb 2016, 8:00 pm

Just read in the Telegraph that Joe Marler has edged Mako Vunipola to be in the starting XV.

Dickinson, Ford and Nel will be happy Yahoo

Anyone know what time the team is announced tomorrow?

by robbo277 Wed 03 Feb 2016, 9:59 pm

I think Marler's reputation has taken a bit of a hammering, but he's nowhere near as bad as some might make out. I'd have started Mako though.

My issue with Farrell at 12 is not just is Farrell the right man for the 12 shirt, but is Ford the right man for the 10 shirt given his form? Also, if you were going for Ford/Farrell at 10/12, does Cipriani not come into contention as cover? How is he behind Devoto?

That being said, if Jones is planning on playing two distributors in the midfield, playing Ford and Farrell (who won a JWC together) isn't a bad decision. They can also switch around a fair bit.

by DirtyRucker7 Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:10 pm

Chatting with Tom Wood and he thinks the level of physicality Eddie expects out of England will be to much for any Northern Hemisphere team to handle. But he also said Eddie thinks Youngs is an amazing line out thrower Headscratch

But have to agree what some of the boys are doing in training is next level stuff the Kiwis would struggle with the level of handling skills our pack are achieving right now.

I got laughed at for saying Scotland don't stand a chance, mark my words they really don't.

by DaveM Wed 03 Feb 2016, 11:23 pm

This group of forwards should be pretty decent, ball in hand. But I'm not sure they are likely to be teaching the ABs any new tricks in the short term.

I'm certainly expecting a noticably more physcial approach - let's hope it doesn't end in too many cards.

I'm really hoping Devoto comes on and makes a case for starting the next game - he could be our 12 until beyond the next World Cup. Interesting comment from Jones about how it is a sign of the strength of English rugby that decent players like Cipriani and, probably, Itoje aren't involved this week.

by Gwlad Thu 04 Feb 2016, 1:11 am

how is the weather looking? Rain would suit Scots wouldn't it?

by **George Carlin** Thu 04 Feb 2016, 7:21 am

funnyExiledScot wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:
The idea that Scotland would be favourites for this is laughable. The very fact that Eddie Jones has wheeled it out as part of least subtle media strategy since the last time Gatland opened his mouth is testimony to that.

The England pack will be hugely physical and likely match us for international experience. Whilst I think we have better players than over the last 5 years, the gulf between the teams on each and every occassion we've met during that period has been clear.

So, I make England clear favourites for this. What I would say however is that whilst I haven't seen a path to victory for Scotland for a few years, I do think this team has the attacking firepower to cause England problems, particularly if Hardie/Cowan can get turnover ball quickly into the hands of Finn Russell. Laidlaw is also a steady operator with the boot and a shrewd and experienced captain which is worth a lot in these sorts of games.
Basically, this.

Why the edit?? I didn't take offence!

Really? It felt like a lot first thing in the morning.

by **George Carlin** Thu 04 Feb 2016, 7:24 am

Gwlad wrote:how is the weather looking? Rain would suit Scots wouldn't it?

Not these days, Gwlad.

We've started scoring far more tries than we ever did before and the reason is that we now actually have a backline which can do it.

We also have a couple of good forraging opensides and as our forwards are still probably lighter as an 8 than most other 6N packs, a slog fest in the mud wouldn't be playing to our strengths at all.

by nickj Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:23 am

Alistair Reid in the Times has Barcs starting a 6 and Bennett in at 13. Taylor and Fagerson on the bench.

So we're looking at:

Dickinson
Ford
Nel
Gray
Gray Snr
Barclay
Hardie
Denton
Laidlaw
Russell
Seymour
Scott
Bennett
Maitland
Hogg

Reid
McInally
Fagerson
Swinson?
Cowan
Hidalgo-Clyne
Taylor

My only question marks are over Bennett's fitness and Swinson's ability to change the game at 60 mins against the likes of a fresh Lawes or Kruis?

by Tattie Scones RRN Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:26 am

DirtyRucker7 wrote:Chatting with Tom Wood and he thinks the level of physicality Eddie expects out of England will be to much for any Northern Hemisphere team to handle. But he also said Eddie thinks Youngs is an amazing line out thrower
But have to agree what some of the boys are doing in training is next level stuff the Kiwis would struggle with the level of handling skills our pack are achieving right now.

I got laughed at for saying Scotland don't stand a chance, mark my words they really don't.

Did ye aye?

by **RDW** Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:27 am

nickj wrote:Alistair Reid in the Times has Barcs starting a 6 and Bennett in at 13. Taylor and Fagerson on the bench.

So we're looking at:

Dickinson
Ford
Nel
Gray
Gray Snr
Barclay
Hardie
Denton
Laidlaw
Russell
Seymour
Scott
Bennett
Maitland
Hogg

Reid
McInally
Fagerson
Swinson?
Cowan
Hidalgo-Clyne
Taylor

My only question marks are over Bennett's fitness and Swinson's ability to change the game at 60 mins against the likes of a fresh Lawes or Kruis?

I'd be perfectly happy with all of that other than Swinson on the bench.

Big call putting Fagerson on the bench!

by RuggerRadge2611 Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:28 am

I still would have started Taylor. He knows exactly how the "wolfpack" sarries style defence works.

IMO he would know how better to attack the line than Bennett.

by Tattie Scones RRN Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:30 am

nickj wrote:Alistair Reid in the Times has Barcs starting a 6 and Bennett in at 13. Taylor and Fagerson on the bench.

So we're looking at:

Dickinson
Ford
Nel
Gray
Gray Snr
Barclay
Hardie
Denton
Laidlaw
Russell
Seymour
Scott
Bennett
Maitland
Hogg

Reid
McInally
Fagerson
Swinson?
Cowan
Hidalgo-Clyne
Taylor

My only question marks are over Bennett's fitness and Swinson's ability to change the game at 60 mins against the likes of a fresh Lawes or Kruis?

The best team available and I agree about questioning Bennett. Taylor is an able sub but I hope the change would be because Bennett is blowing out his erchie rather than his shoulder going again.

Hardie & Gray Jnr could be in for a tiring afternoon tackling themselves to death.

I'm trying to push the optimism down but it's starting to get the upper hand.

by RuggerRadge2611 Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:30 am

DirtyRucker7 wrote:
But have to agree what some of the boys are doing in training is next level stuff the Kiwis would struggle with the level of handling skills our pack are achieving right now.

I got laughed at for saying Scotland don't stand a chance, mark my words they really don't.

I'd say there is more chance you'd get laughed at for the comment in bold.

by nickj Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:33 am

The Beeb have the same team http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35490959. No bench yet

by Tattie Scones RRN Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:33 am

BBC confirming the team...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35490959

Official announcement at 12.30

by RuggerRadge2611 Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:40 am

Loving that backrow.

by lostinwales Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:41 am

RDW_Scotland wrote:
nickj wrote:Alistair Reid in the Times has Barcs starting a 6 and Bennett in at 13. Taylor and Fagerson on the bench.

So we're looking at:

Dickinson
Ford
Nel
Gray
Gray Snr
Barclay
Hardie
Denton
Laidlaw
Russell
Seymour
Scott
Bennett
Maitland
Hogg

Reid
McInally
Fagerson
Swinson?
Cowan
Hidalgo-Clyne
Taylor

My only question marks are over Bennett's fitness and Swinson's ability to change the game at 60 mins against the likes of a fresh Lawes or Kruis?

I'd be perfectly happy with all of that other than Swinson on the bench.

Big call putting Fagerson on the bench!

We are going to see Fagerson and Hill on the pitch at the same time. How often if ever have there been two 20yr old props making their debut in the same test match.

Battle of the baby rhinos...

by BamBam Thu 04 Feb 2016, 9:42 am

Its most disconcerting when opposition fans are all in agreement that their coach has picked the best team!

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