6N 2018: Scotland v England, 24 February

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SCOTLAND v ENGLAND
24 February 2018
KO: 16:45 GMT
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Live on [Old BBC Colonial]

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant 1: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant 2: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

A. Head to Head

135 Played 135
42 Won 75
18 Drawn 18
75 Lost 42
1,162 Points 1,623

B. Recent Form 

2 February 2013
Twickenham, London
38 – 18 to England

8 February 2014
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
0 – 20 to England

14 March 2015
Twickenham, London
25 – 13 to England

6 February 2016
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
9 – 15 to England

11 March 2017
Twickenham, London
61 – 21 to England

C. Teams

SCOTLAND 

Hogg, Seymour, Jones, Horne, Maitland, Russell, Laidlaw; Reid, McInally, Berghan, Gilchrist, J Gray, Barclay (capt), Watson, Wilson.

Replacements: Lawson, J Bhatti, WP Nel, Swinson, Denton, Price, Grigg, Kinghorn.

ENGLAND

Brown, Watson, Joseph, Farrell, May, Ford, Care; M Vunipola, Hartley (capt), Cole, Launchbury, Itoje, Lawes, Robshaw, Hughes.

Replacements: George, Marler, Williams, G Kruis (Saracens), Underhill, Wigglesworth, B Te'o, J Nowell.

Proud

A dark, dark day.

Commiserations England.

Congrats Scotland.

Well done Scotland! We didn't adapt at all.

Jones out.

Well done scotland

Well done to Finn Russell as well, after all the shoite from the first two games he was pulling all the strings today.

Have a good one tonight Scottish fans, that was a great win and a fully deserved one at that

well deserved scotland. amazing first half.

very frustrating lack ofcompeting at breakdown in first half by england. and trying to make up for it in second half they suffered from refs interpretations.

Well done Scotland. Best performance v England in my living memory (and I go back to the 70s). Better for England to have a so-so 6N this year than next or the year after. Beaten today by a side who played better on the day.

i think eddie jones has to take some responsibility for the 1st half approach. seemed like englands game plan was to sit back and let scotland do what they did against wales....

Well done Scotland.

I've been saying all tournament this was the match I was most worried about, that Scotland weren't as bad as the Wales result. The better team today, deserved winners.

I hope Owens is pulled up in his review though, the breakdown was an absolute nonsense.

We've got away with coming off second best at ruck time until now with our bench blowing teams away. Time for Underhill to start and stop playing 3 second rows.

mid_gen wrote:Well done Scotland.

I've been saying all tournament this was the match I was most worried about, that Scotland weren't as bad as the Wales result. The better team today, deserved winners.

I hope Owens is pulled up in his review though, the breakdown was an absolute nonsense.

We've got away with coming off second best at ruck time until now with our bench blowing teams away. Time for Underhill to start and stop playing 3 second rows.

This. spot on.

mid_gen wrote:Well done Scotland.

I've been saying all tournament this was the match I was most worried about, that Scotland weren't as bad as the Wales result. The better team today, deserved winners.

I hope Owens is pulled up in his review though, the breakdown was an absolute nonsense.

We've got away with coming off second best at ruck time until now with our bench blowing teams away. Time for Underhill to start and stop playing 3 second rows.

At the same time, I don't think most England fans accept how bad our breakdown is. I said Samoa outplayed us there and was told I was exaggerating. This was avoidable.

And chuffed to bits for Doddie Weir who must have really enjoyed that. Good on him.

Well done Scotland. A fantastic performance especially from their back row at the breakdown.

Watson continued as he's been going for 18 months now and John Barclay was excellent. Barclay was my MOM.

The care interception the replay shows Launchbury's knee hit the ground - correct decision

RDW_Scotland wrote:The care interception the replay shows Launchbury's knee hit the ground - correct decision

I'm not going to make out like it was match deciding but Scotland had 3 infractions at one breakdown and won the penalty.

I’ll keep analysis for tomorrow. Right now it’s beer time.

Heaf wrote:

mid_gen wrote:Complete baffled by Owens' breakdown. Why are only Scotland allowed to compete? England are immediately told to stay out or it's lost.

And why are they allowed to pick the ball up after a ruck has been formed?

The scots players are the first in and on the ball supporting their own weight. Very rarely are the english players all 3 things. Scottish back row play like that every week going for the turnovers, english forwards don't.

We were awful, Scotland were awesome. Zero complaints, well done lads. You've been gracious in the build up and deserve everything, you were bar far the better side.

Scotland deserved their win

Eng land a shambles.

The wins recently have papered over a lot of cracks that Scotland exposed. Ireland will expose them a lot more.

Fair play to all the England fans on here

For those (thankfully few on here) complaining about the refereeing:

Scotland got more at the breakdown because they attacked it proactively. England went in ones whereas Scotland defended in pods and swamped the ruck. If there are more defenders over the ball than attackers then you get the rub.

It's also important to note that England didn't even take a losing bonus point, it wasn't close enough to make any difference.

Finally and most importantly some facts people need to consider when discussing refs:

1. Refereeing standards at professional level are often lacking because standards at grassroots are terrible.

2. Standards at grass roots are terrible because there is a massive shortage of refs challenging the game as a whole at the moment.

3. There is a shortage of refs because very few are interested in reffing.

4. Nobody wants to be a ref because all refs get is grief and whining from fans with less understanding of the game than they have.

It astounds me that fans so often complain about the officials rather than enjoying the rugby and all the while are incapable of realising that complaining about refereeing is just perpetuating the cycle that leads to lower than ideal standards.

Congrats to Scotland, the better performance on the day deservedly won.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Fair play to all the England fans on here

Fair play RDW....you enjoy your win, hugely impressed with Scotland tonight, fantastic performance.

Well I didnt see that coming, but watching the way the Scottish backs in the first half keeping the ball away from the English forwards and then making them run all over the field chasing it reminded me of how Scotlansd played against the ABs only a few months ago.

Scotland just have to put on these performances on more often, not just when they are playing at the "Big dance".

Enjoy, Scotland.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Fair play to all the England fans on here

Not needed mate. Scotland were so worthy of their win.

They players today like they have in the Ais etc.

England will go home tae think again. My scottish mother is having a party

I'd like to echo the thanks for the gracious comments as well.

Well done Scotland, always enjoy watching them play but would prefer they saved it for the other games

Hopefully a wake-up call for Eddie's 3 lock experiment - it's not working and hasn't been working, Scotland were just better than others at exploiting it. I'm not a huge Haskell fan but was disappointed when he wasn't named in the team, he would have at least bounced a few Scots backwards. 3 locks is detrimental to our game and it doesn't appear to be making the lineout any better.
For me the subs came on far too late, if Cole can't get the nudge in the scrum then he's not worth having on the pitch when Williams offers much more. It's all well and good having a big heavy pack but they need the power to match and England's forwards are punching well below their weight.

king_carlos wrote:For those (thankfully few on here) complaining about the refereeing:

Scotland got more at the breakdown because they attacked it proactively. England went in ones whereas Scotland defended in pods and swamped the ruck. If there are more defenders over the ball than attackers then you get the rub.

It's also important to note that England didn't even take a losing bonus point, it wasn't close enough to make any difference.

Finally and most importantly some facts people need to consider when discussing refs:

1. Refereeing standards at professional level are often lacking because standards at grassroots are terrible.

2. Standards at grass roots are terrible because there is a massive shortage of refs challenging the game as a whole at the moment.

3. There is a shortage of refs because very few are interested in reffing.

4. Nobody wants to be a ref because all refs get is grief and whining from fans with less understanding of the game than they have.

It astounds me that fans so often complain about the officials rather than enjoying the rugby and all the while are incapable of realising that complaining about refereeing is just perpetuating the cycle that leads to lower than ideal standards.

Congrats to Scotland, the better performance on the day deservedly won.

Can't agree more about refs. A lot more are needed from bottom to top

The 6N really is an incredible competition - you really can't call what will happen in most of the games. Who would have seen that result before the game!

All of the talk pre match was England's pack strangling the life out of Scotland - didn't happen

The lightweight back row would be smashed in rucks by England  - didn't happen

- England's defence would stop Scotland's attacking play - we score 3 tries

The English back row would chew up Russell like a rag doll and he'd carry on with his flakey form - didn't happen, and they barely laid a finger on him

It is strange to think that Scotland might actually have helped England's world cup chances as it has shown EJ what doesn't work for his team - they have got away with it so far but when you have so many close calls you're bound to come up short eventually. He's got to play a proper back row unit - 3 locks doesn't work. England certainly haven't become a bad team overnight but this game should be a wake up call for them. They are still one of the best teams in the world.

Also, it is easy for me to say but I genuinely think Owens got all the big calls right. England may have some complaints about some ruck decisions but we absolutely targeted the rucks, and it's not. Owens' fault that England were so slow to get there. For one of the penalties Barclay was the 3rd man in!

I'm massively proud of Scotland's performance though - that was hugely courageous with a lot of skill. We fronted up and took it to the English with s lot of aggression and precision. It is going to be a noisy night in Edinburgh tonight!

Also, very magnanimous comments on here

Such an odd performance from England, where did we get on top???

Everything Scotalnd did paid off, we just messed up every time.

Well that was not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

10 long years and finally a Scotland win.

Was I confident, no.

Was I hopeful, well yes. much more so than many other times recently. We are not a bad team these days, especially at home and probably have not had enough credit for that.

We have still got a long way to be considered a really good team though. Got to work out how to win away from home and to remember to always turn up.

All sides have bad days though. As England found out today and the 6N remains a very hard competition to win. It is very competitive.

Scotland have now shown that they can play with the big boys and are no longer a soft touch and that is only going to make it a better competition going forward.

A word about Finn Russell as well, who came back from two poorish performances with a MoM display.

He is a big match player, always was and always will be. He will make the odd howler but I guess we just have to accept that. He has been a rare treasure for Scottish rugby.

jimbopip wrote:

Also, very magnanimous comments on here

Jim, I bet you are just gutted you were not there!

Sgt_Pooly wrote:We were awful, Scotland were awesome. Zero complaints, well done lads. You've been gracious in the build up and deserve everything, you were bar far the better side.

Scotland now have to work on consistency and being tougher to beat away from home. At Murrayfield they are a match for anyone. Credit to our pack as well which is missing so many key players. They did themselves proud.

CaledonianCraig wrote:Scotland now have to work on consistency and being tougher to beat away from home. At Murrayfield they are a match for anyone. Credit to our pack as well which is missing so many key players. They did themselves proud.

I think that the players that have come in have played themselves into the team. We are definitely building a bit of depth now. It won't be easy for anyone to walk into this team.

BigGee wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

Also, very magnanimous comments on here

Jim, I bet you are just gutted you were not there!

And then some.
To make it worse a couple of ex teammates were messaging me this morning wanting to meet up. We would be having a hell of a night right now

jimbopip wrote:

BigGee wrote:

jimbopip wrote:

Also, very magnanimous comments on here

Jim, I bet you are just gutted you were not there!

And then some.
To make it worse a couple of ex teammates were messaging me this morning wanting to meet up. We would be having a hell of a night right now

Never mind, I am sure there will be another opportunity in 10 years or so!

Watched the game with my 9yo and 13yo. At one stage the 9yo said "Dad, you've hit the light". It was just as a result of Hugh Jones second try. And it was still swingin. Great match, great day, great performance all round, but McInally, Barclay, Jones and Laidlaw were my mom's.
But again GT, managed it supremely.
After viewing a lot of poo from many posters on here it it uplifting to see so mant gracious home winners and especially so many gracious and sporting runners up. Well done all.

Well beaten hope this spells the end of the locks in the back row experiment. We can still turn this round for a 6ns victory but it's just got much harder.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Such an odd performance from England, where did we get on top???

Everything Scotalnd did paid off, we just messed up every time.

At the line-out England were on top in the air but Scotland mauled far more intelligently.

Other than that Scotland's breakdown dominance commanded the game.

England's defensive alignment and chasing was very poor. The fringe defence was terrible in the first half but slowly improved in the second.

Care and Ford were comprehensively out kicked by Laidlaw and Russell in tactical stakes. Farrell looked like a man trying to do too much with not enough around him.

Scotland on the other hand used their breakdown dominance to bring runners onto the ball at pace with good angles and they controlled territory well.

England are surpposed to be the 2nd best  in the world, And yet they play like they did today.

I think in all honesty if they do not make amends in the next game. Then i think you would have to ask, do they deserve to be no 2 best team in the world?

What happend today?
 
Was Scotland the better team today?

Did England become complacent?

 I think it was a bit of both if i am honest, but in the first half Scotland was far the better team. England just could not catch up in the second half.

I fully congrat Scotland for the win.

England  have too have a good look at themselves before the next game.

Englnd IMO are still the second best team in the world - but today Scotland showed them their weakness. Lack of breakdown specialists and lack of brains to change the game plan

England wee not poor today - Scotland made them look poor with the pressure they put on them

majesticimperialman wrote:England are surpposed to be the 2nd best  in the world, And yet they play like they did today.

I think in all honesty if they do not make amends in the next game. Then i think you would have to ask, do they deserve to be no 2 best team in the world?

What happend today?
 
Was Scotland the better team today?

Did England become complacent?

 I think it was a bit of both if i am honest, but in the first half Scotland was far the better team. England just could not catch up in the second half.

I fully congrat Scotland for the win.

England  have too have a good look at themselves before the next game.

Maybe it's like this. Scotland, the way they were playing, might possibly have gotten the three tries even against the ABs. So that's their bit. Their own ability and not England's shortcomings got them that first half.

The only question then is the fight back. Would the ABs have taken back the initiative and reclaimed the game in the second half? That's the question Jones will have to be interested in as that is the side he most compares his side to - and the side he wants his side to overtake.

Still the second best team in the world. Teams lose. Even the All Blacks.

Scottrf wrote:Still the second best team in the world. Teams lose. Even the All Blacks.

We'll see about that a little later down the line

SecretFly wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Still the second best team in the world. Teams lose. Even the All Blacks.

We'll see about that a little later down the line

Surely after losing today, you do not think they ( England) will lose to Ireland do you?

majesticimperialman wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Still the second best team in the world. Teams lose. Even the All Blacks.

We'll see about that a little later down the line

Surely after losing today, you do not think they ( England) will lose to Ireland do you?

You'll be rightfully favourites at home, majestic We'll have to give a go but sure, it'll be a tough old game. As Rory said today, 'we don't like making things easy'.

My Scotland player ratings

1 Reid - 7

Held his own in the scrums and had his best game in the loose this 6N

2 McInally - 8.5

Would have been a 9 if not for a few overthrows. A hurculean 80 minute shift again firmly cementing his claim to the Scotland hooker shirt

3 Berghan - 7.5

Withstood another test against a top class scrum and held his own again. Looks comfortable at this level - Nel and Fagerson have s fight on their hands!

4 Gilchrist - 7

Quiter then last week but an ever willing carrier and a good turnover at the start of the game

5 Gray - 7.5

His usual monstrous shift and had another few big carries

6 Barclay - 9

Captain fantastic, and a much needed performance from him after a quiet first 2 rounds. Many turnovers to his name at key times, killing off English attacks. Huge moments across the 80.

7 Watson - 7.5

Another pain in the arse for England, albeit without the turnovers of his back row colleague. Big carries as always

8 Wilson - 7.5

He has his doubters but now that he's got his discipline under control he's become a key member of our back row. Always gives his all and has a good all round skillset to make up for his lack of bulk at 8

9 Laidlaw - 7

Proved that we can still play attacking rugby with him at 9, although his passing was wayward at times.

10 Russell - 8.5

Well the real Finn Russell finally turned up this week with some fantastic attacking play and good kicking from hand. He answered his critics supremely, albeit riding his luck at times. If he played like that every game we wouldn't have a problem!

11 Maitland - 7

Nothing flashy but carried well and solid in attack and defence

12 Horne - 7

Willing in attack and defence and had a few good breaks, but loses half a point for butchering a clear overlap. With everyone fit he won't be in the starting team but he gives his all when he is

13 Jones - 9
.
The  man just doesn't stop scoring! I said previously that I'd like more involvement over the 80 - and that's still the case - but feck me when he scores tries and makes breaks like he does I can forgive that!

14 Seymour - 6.5

Similar to Maitland he was solid yet unspectacular before going off injured.

15 Hogg - 6.5

He's had a quiet 6N by his standards but still fulfills a crucial function for Scotland. Shows his maturity though that he doesn't try to force things despite his lack of big breaks - he makes the right plays for the team.


It strikes me that the overall scores were are fairly low despite such a good performance - I think that's a sign that it was a fantastic team performance as opposed to one or two individuals dragging us over the line.