Scotland V England - The Calcutta Cup

by **RDW** Mon 03 Feb 2020, 8:35 am

First topic message reminder :

GUINNESS SIX NATIONS 2020

8 FEB 2020

BT MURRAYFIELD

KICK-OFF 4:45 PM

Past results

2010	13 March	England	15–15	Murrayfield	Edinburgh	63	39	15
2011	13 March	England	22–17	Twickenham	London	64	39	15
2012	4 February	England	6–13	Murrayfield	Edinburgh	65	39	15
2013	2 February	England	38–18	Twickenham	London	66	39	15
2014	8 February	England	0–20	Murrayfield	Edinburgh	67	39	15
2015	14 March	England	25–13	Twickenham	London	68	39	15
2016	6 February	England	9–15^[2]	Murrayfield	Edinburgh	69	39	15
2017	11 March	England	61–21^[3]	Twickenham	London	70	39	15
2018	24 February	Scotland	25–13^[4]	Murrayfield	Edinburgh	70	40	15
2019	16 March	Scotland	38–38	Twickenham	London	70	40	16

Teams

Scotland V England - The Calcutta Cup - Page 5 HP7hDa92HluFnAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC

TBC

Scotland V England - The Calcutta Cup - Page 5 OZiWAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC

Furbank; May, Joseph, Farrell, Daly; Ford, Heinz; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Kruis, Itoje, Ludlam, Underhill, Curry

Replacements: Dunn, Genge, Stuart, Launchbury, Lawes, Earl, Youngs, Devoto

by lostinwales Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:27 pm

RDW wrote:
lostinwales wrote:When is the Scottish team named?
They said 'soon' over 2 hours ago!

'Soon' like a Ben Youngs/ Greg Laidlaw pass....

by hugehandoff Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:30 pm

High winds and rain forecast for Sat afternoon so the 6 forwards on the bench could be useful. Massive game for Furbank and will be a real test. Important that England get their kicking game right as well. The gain line battle will be ferocious.

by **BigGee** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:32 pm

I don't think those weather conditions if true will do us any favours.

Maybe Toonie is tweaking the Scotland side to suite the conditions as well, hence the delay!

by **RDW** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:34 pm

Number 8 Magnus Bradbury is the only change Scotland’s starting line-up for this Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations Test against England at BT Murrayfield Stadium (kick-off 4.45pm) – live on BBC.
The 24-year-old Edinburgh back-row has recovered from the thigh strain that kept him from starting last weekend’s loss to Ireland, with clubmate and debutant that day, Nick Haining, moving to the bench.
The remaining change to the match 23 occurs on the bench, where Edinburgh tighthead Simon Berghan returns to the position in which he was selected last weekend, only to be ruled out through illness on the day of the game.
Scotland V England - The Calcutta Cup - Page 5 19800126

Scotland V England - The Calcutta Cup - Page 5 19800126

Head Coach Gregor Townsend said: “We were proud of parts of our performance in Dublin at a very difficult venue. The challenge for the squad is to replicate that level and take our chances when they come, in order to win tight games.

Head Coach Gregor Townsend wrote:“We were disappointed not to beat Ireland but the opportunity to face England, against whom we are bidding to retain the Calcutta Cup, is one that excites players, coaches and supporters alike.”

Bradbury – scorer of try number three of six in last year’s remarkable 11-try Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham – will feature in an all-Edinburgh back-row with Jamie Ritchie on the blindside and Hamish Watson at openside.
They’ll start behind an unchanged tight-five of Glasgow Warriors second-rows Scott Cummings and Jonny Gray, and clubmates Fraser Brown (hooker) and Zander Fagerson (tighthead prop), with Edinburgh’s Rory Sutherland reselected at loosehead.
No change to the backs means Ali Price and Adam Hastings will rekindle their club partnership at Test level, with fellow Warriors Huw Jones and Sam Johnson – try scorers against England in 2018 and 2019 respectively – in midfield.
Captain and full-back Stuart Hogg anchors a back-three with Sean Maitland (Saracens) and Blair Kinghorn (wing).
Townsend added: “England are an excellent team whose run to the Rugby World Cup final was no fluke.
“They will be smarting from their opener in Paris and Eddie [Jones, Head Coach] will have them primed to come to Edinburgh and put in an improved performance.
“This famous fixture is one that stands out given the history surrounding it and we will have to be at our very best to stand a chance of winning against our oldest rivals.”

Scotland team to play England at BT Murrayfield Stadium

15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 73 caps

14. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 45 caps
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 24 caps
12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 10 caps
11. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 18 caps

10. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 29 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 4 caps
2. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 47 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 26 caps
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 56 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 29 caps
8. Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh) – 11 caps

Substitutes:
16. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh) – 34 caps
17. Allan Dell (London Irish) – 29 caps
18. Simon Berghan (Edinburgh) – 24 caps
19. Ben Toolis (Edinburgh) – 23 caps
20. Nick Haining (Edinburgh) – 1 cap
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 11 caps
22. Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints) – 4 caps
23. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 15 caps

by **BigGee** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:35 pm

Well no surprises from Toonie after all

Bradbury comes in to start and Haining benches instead of CDP, otherwise no changes.

Haining probably can feel a little unlucky, though he will get more chances if he plays like last weekend. Bradbury needs a big game.

Edit - and Bergan back on the bench where he would have been last week baring illness.

by **RDW** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:36 pm

Harsh on Haining to be dropped but that's the way it is sometimes. Good to see he's kept on the bench. Bradbury has hopefully had a rocket up his arse!

I would have gone for more bulk on the 2nd row in place of Toolis, especially the beasts England will be able to bring on.

We weren't expecting much change and we didn't get it!

by Geordie Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:36 pm

Joseph can cover wing, and probably emergency full back
May can cover 13 and 15
Daly can cover 13 and 15
Ford can probably cover 15...very similar skills set just positioning which is different.
Devoto covers centres and 10
Youngs...9

So there is flexibility

by **RDW** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:37 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Joseph can cover wing, and probably emergency full back
May can cover 13 and 15
Daly can cover 13 and 15
Ford can probably cover 15...very similar skills set just positioning which is different.
Devoto covers centres and 10
Youngs...9

So there is flexibility

When has he ever done that?? Would have been entertaining to watch at least!

by BamBam Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:38 pm

Think he played 13 for Gloucester a few times in his younger days

by **BigGee** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:39 pm

RDW wrote:Harsh on Haining to be dropped but that's the way it is sometimes. Good to see he's kept on the bench. Bradbury has hopefully had a rocket up his arse!

I would have gone for more bulk on the 2nd row in place of Toolis, especially the beasts England will be able to bring on.

We weren't expecting much change and we didn't get it!

Tombola, what tombola?

by Geordie Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:39 pm

How good is Hamish Watson though.

by **RDW** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:40 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:How good is Hamish Watson though.

He was outstanding against Ireland I thought - you'll struggle to find a more dynamic openside in world rugby IMO, he's certainly up there.

by WELL-PAST-IT Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:41 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Joseph can cover wing, and probably emergency full back
May can cover 13 and 15
Daly can cover 13 and 15
Ford can probably cover 15...very similar skills set just positioning which is different.
Devoto covers centres and 10
Youngs...9

So there is flexibility

Furbank can cover 10, 13 and wing, or has for Saints

by **BigGee** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:42 pm

Well it is shaping up to be a game of contrasting styles.

Expect a big power game from England, with Ford and Farrell kicking them into the right parts of the field.

Scotland looking for speed and tempo, trying to move the big English pack around.

It is intriguing but the weather may well play a part

by WELL-PAST-IT Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:45 pm

Great reward for Lawes being our best forward (possibly excepting Underhill) last week. Out played Itoje and Ewels (not hard) albeit from 6 and get benched. One of the problems of being versatile I suppose.

by Soul Requiem Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:45 pm

BigGee wrote:Well it is shaping up to be a game of contrasting styles.

Expect a big power game from England, with Ford and Farrell kicking them into the right parts of the field.

Scotland looking for speed and tempo, trying to move the big English pack around.

It is intriguing but the weather may well play a part

Not sure with Itoje, Ludlum, Underhill and Curry playing that's all that accurate myself.

by 123456789. Thu 06 Feb 2020, 12:59 pm

England going for a 6-2 split and Scotland only having one out and out fly-half means we could see some pretty interesting backlines if injuries strike. I am nervous about the makeup of the English bench, the England scrum worked very well last weekend and they've got some real firepower to bring on in the second half. If we can't gain at least parity at the set-piece we'll struggle to get any foothold in the game. Ritchie, Watson and Bradbury against Ludlam, Underhill and Curry will be interesting. The English back-row is an interesting one. If Curry plays as a number 8 rather than an openside in the loose then I can see dominating the breakdown. It's not quite as blunt as Lawes, Robshaw, Hughes (which in hindsight seems a terrible, terrible back-row).
I'm not sure I agree it's contrasting styles, all over you can see pretty like-for-like match-ups. Cummings and Gray vs Kruis and Itoje are fairly similar pairings. Heinz and Price are a similar style of player. Hastings and Ford also. Brown and George are similar, George being a fair bit better. Fagerson and Sinckler are both mobile for tightheads. England's wings are probably a tad better, but Hogg is vastly more experience and a more able player than George Furbank. Johnson and Farrell are exactly the same height and Johnson is a tad heavier and probably a better runner. Farrell is a better distributor and carrier. Joseph and Jones are very similar players as well, with Jones probably running the better lines and Joseph a tad more skilful and agile. Admittedly Vunipola is much, much better than Sutherland. Vunipola is there for his carrying though and Sutherland for his scrummaging. I'm not sure on the England bench. If England aren't going well Devoto and Youngs probably don't really have the firepower to worry us too much. But then Hutchinson and Harris aren't the most powerful players and Horne hasn't quite transitioned his club form to the international stage yet.

by nlpnlp Thu 06 Feb 2020, 1:00 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Joseph can cover wing, and probably emergency full back
May can cover 13 and 15
Daly can cover 13 and 15
Ford can probably cover 15...very similar skills set just positioning which is different.
Devoto covers centres and 10
Youngs...9

So there is flexibility

Yes there is flexibility but because of the limited bench options every substitution will effectively be doubling up the changes. So Furbank goes off, Daly switches to fullback, Joseph moves to wing and Devoto comes into the centres. 3 changes for 1 substitution. Do England really need both Lawes and Launchbury on the bench? Do we need a 4th openside on the bench?

Youngs, Lawes, Ewels and Marler have all to me been sacrificed for Jones not picking a proper no 8. If England lose on Saturday because we don't have a no 8 who can control a ball at the back of the scrum or carry effectively, then Jones needs to be sacrificed. Too many of his selections or actions are non sensical.

by WELL-PAST-IT Thu 06 Feb 2020, 1:04 pm

It surprised me last Sunday that even with the two SA monsters at lock, England were still 20Kg heavier and had Ewels at lock.

by BamBam Thu 06 Feb 2020, 1:21 pm

It's fine, if we have injuries in the backs I reckon Sam Underhill would make a great emergency centre - good luck coming down the 12 channel Very Happy

by lostinwales Thu 06 Feb 2020, 1:23 pm

BamBam wrote:It's fine, if we have injuries in the backs I reckon Sam Underhill would make a great emergency centre - good luck coming down the 12 channel

Isn't Sinckler a former FH? That would be fun.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 06 Feb 2020, 1:28 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:How good is Hamish Watson though.

Surely the leading candidate for the Lions 7 shirt. He's just so influential in both attack and defence. One of the many errors from the Cockers/MOC years.

by lostinwales Thu 06 Feb 2020, 1:31 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:How good is Hamish Watson though.

Surely the leading candidate for the Lions 7 shirt. He's just so influential in both attack and defence. One of the many errors from the Cockers/MOC years.

But its Gatland and Watson plays for Scotland. No Chance.

by Gooseberry Thu 06 Feb 2020, 1:38 pm

Englsnds bench split is partly a recognition of conditions IMO. Its likely to be " one for the purists" and neither sides exactly shied away from talking up the forwards battle.

by **Rugby Fan** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 2:18 pm

Just read on Twittre that it'll be Farrell's 35th start at centre for England, which is the same number of starts he's had at fly half.

by Eejit Thu 06 Feb 2020, 2:29 pm

Rugby Fan wrote:Just read on Twittre that it'll be Farrell's 35th start at centre for England, which is the same number of starts he's had at fly half.

That’s a staggering statistic considering he’s significantly better in one than the other.

Given some of the incendiary comments from Sam Johnson and Lewis Ludlam circulating about ahead of Saturday’s game I want to assure English fans that I don’t hate any of you, unless of course you are Edinburgh fans in which case it’s up in the air.

by jimbopip Thu 06 Feb 2020, 2:51 pm

Afternoon chentlemehhn. Hug

I haven't posted much this week because I've been, like Sandie Shaw, totally in love with Monsieur Dupont. ( apart from GC is there anyone else on these boards who remembers Sandie the songstress?). Anyhoo, what a 9 he is Shocked

possibly the only 9 I would swap for Little Big Horne. He moved the English defence around is if they were puppets on a string. see what I did there?

The scoreline on Sunday flattered the English: France had demolished them before Theresa May got her revenge for Brexit ruining her political career and turning her into a union jack waving red rose wearing right winger intent on destroying entente cordial. Plus ca change, plus ca le meme chose. As they say in Govan.

However, England won't be quite so inept on Saturday. They can't be that p*ss poor two weeks running. Mind you, Eddie Jones has a record of arriving like the New Messiah and after a promising beginning falling out with everyone and being shown the door like a very naughty boy. training this week will , probably, either have been rallying the troops and stiffening the sinews for an Agincourt style victory OR one big bickerfest where lots of daggers were planted in lots of backs and morale sank faster than the good ship Boris will once economic reality begins to reassert itself. ( Is there anyone south of Ecclefechan I haven't upset yet?)

Toonie has gone to the Magic Tombola and drawn the card that said, "Play the same team, or the one you would have played but for injury, and that'll really confuse everyone". He's giving the 23 a big vote of confidence and putting the responsibility on them to show they can win a game occasionally. Maybe they will. The only question is....with no Batman whose turn is it to smack Daddy's boy in the tunnel before the match? Step forward Mbawza!

Big Fat Old Mako up against Ragnar The Pretty at scrum time Scotland V England - The Calcutta Cup - Page 5 1347041234

Scotland V England - The Calcutta Cup - Page 5 1347041234

IF, big IF, the referee has any idea of what is actually going on Scotland could get a lot of joy there. Similarly, Sutherland is a much better scrummager than Sinkler.
The Scottish lineout was as brittle as Young Pipetto's sheets after he's been watching Naked Attraction before retiring so that's one area where England could prosper.

I noticed Daddy's Boy getting treatment/attention to his right wrist early in the match and then he dropped a couple of straightforward passes. Is he carrying an injury? Certainly if Batman was playing I would expect something untoward to accidently happen in order to answer that question. Step up to the plate Mbawza.

My brain, such as it is, says England will play better than last week and try to batter us in the forwards and grind out a win.
My heart says Braveheart

by BamBam Thu 06 Feb 2020, 2:54 pm

Can someone who speaks Jimbo please translate Hug

by **BigGee** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 2:56 pm

Toonie in his press conference was predictably asked about FR.

He said that he had spoken to him to tell him he was not going to be involved this weekend.

Was it a positive conversation? He was asked.

It was a conversation, was his reply.

Toonie giving absolutely nothing away, you can read into that whatever you wish.

You would not want to play cards against him!

by **RDW** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 2:56 pm

Jimbo that's got to be one of your finest posts yet Laugh

by **RDW** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:01 pm

Little Big Horne - George Horne
Batman - Ryan Wilson
Toonie - Gregor Townsend
Mbawza - Jamie Mbawza-Ritchie (say it out loud)
Ragner the pretty- Zander Fagerson
Daddy's boy - Owen Farrell

And that's just the ones he mentioned!

by carpet baboon Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:06 pm

BamBam wrote:Can someone who speaks Jimbo please translate

I'm not fluent but as close as I can work out it's:

60s singer was pretty good. Dupont was a little wizard

Townsend has picked the same team.

Eddie has a history of getting worse after initial success

Scottish props scrum better than the English.

Farrell needs a slap and may be carrying an injury, so someone in the Scottish team needs to slap him.

Some political stuff about the hard realities of putting a clown in charge of the country

by jimbopip Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:08 pm

RDW wrote:Jimbo that's got to be one of your finest posts yet

Ayethangyew, Flounder Hug

Mind you, it sounded quite mundane in my head. The other voices were drowning it out.

I'm looking forwards to Hoggie versus Douglas Fairbanks jr. Hoggie has something to prove after Saturday and Douglas looked rather deer in the headlights at times last week. A nice quiet afternoon before a benevolent crowd in Morningside is just what the lad needs. Scotland V England - The Calcutta Cup - Page 5 1347041234

by mikey_dragon Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:09 pm

Scotland have good backs, but not so sure about Kinghorn on the wing unless he’s improved there.

by jimbopip Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:10 pm

carpet baboon wrote:
BamBam wrote:Can someone who speaks Jimbo please translate

I'm not fluent but as close as I can work out it's:

60s singer was pretty good. Dupont was a little wizard

Townsend has picked the same team.

Eddie has a history of getting worse after initial success

Scottish props scrum better than the English.

Farrell needs a slap and may be carrying an injury, so someone in the Scottish team needs to slap him.

Some political stuff about the hard realities of putting a clown in charge of the country

Mr Baboon, next time I'm allowed out to play you should come along and be my responsible adult. Whistle

by Geordie Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:15 pm

Is Sutherland a much better scrummager than Sinkler?

by Tramptastic Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:22 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Is Sutherland a much better scrummager than Sinkler?

We're not sure, maybe a bit of hyperbole at this point but he took Furlong to the cleaners on Saturday so there is that...

by Geordie Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:38 pm

Well Sinkler looked decidedly uninterested in being on the pitch on Sunday...but in his pomp hes a very powerful scrummager...so that could be a battle to watch.

And actually Stuart on the bench is a very good scrumager.

by **Rugby Fan** Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:50 pm

Russ Petty stat

England won 15/17 Tests with Ford - Farrell - Joseph starting

https://twitter.com/rpetty80/status/1225359330804977666

by jimbopip Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:51 pm

Tramptastic wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Is Sutherland a much better scrummager than Sinkler?

We're not sure, maybe a bit of hyperbole at this point but he took Furlong to the cleaners on Saturday so there is that...

Hyperbole aside....Cian Healey and Tadgh Furlong are excellent scrummagers. I was not surprised when Ragnar did well against the Irish front row as he is on his way to being a great tight head but I was pleasantly surprised by Sutherland, he is a big, strong laddie but he also seems to have a very good technical skill set too.

Ireland in Dublin are always ferocious in the forwards. Our pack took them on and in boxing terms it would have been a split decision. It'll be close on Saturday, but if the ref manages the scrums properly then I think Scotland could be ahead there. If not it's England penalties and kicks to the corner all day long. Sad

by lostinwales Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:57 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well Sinkler looked decidedly uninterested in being on the pitch on Sunday...but in his pomp hes a very powerful scrummager...so that could be a battle to watch.

And actually Stuart on the bench is a very good scrumager.

Sinckler was fine in the scrum. Handling in the loose was terrible and I don't know where his head was at.

by EWT Spoons Thu 06 Feb 2020, 3:58 pm

jimbopip wrote:
Tramptastic wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Is Sutherland a much better scrummager than Sinkler?

We're not sure, maybe a bit of hyperbole at this point but he took Furlong to the cleaners on Saturday so there is that...

Hyperbole aside....Cian Healey and Tadgh Furlong are excellent scrummagers. I was not surprised when Ragnar did well against the Irish front row as he is on his way to being a great tight head but I was pleasantly surprised by Sutherland, he is a big, strong laddie but he also seems to have a very good technical skill set too.

Ireland in Dublin are always ferocious in the forwards. Our pack took them on and in boxing terms it would have been a split decision. It'll be close on Saturday, but if the ref manages the scrums properly then I think Scotland could be ahead there. If not it's England penalties and kicks to the corner all day long.

I'm beginning to sound a bit like a broken record as I've made this point several times now (on the Scotland and Edinburgh & Glasgow threads) but Sutherland pre injury was the best LH in Scotland. His technical scrummaging was on par if not superior to Dicko (who was his competition at club and country when he last got capped) and around the loose he was significantly better.

It's just a shame injury & rehab robbed him of so long. Hopefully this is the start of him again showing the player that he was.

Also Jimbo this wasn't specifically aimed at you, I'm just replying to your message as you mentioned him.

by Soul Requiem Thu 06 Feb 2020, 4:04 pm

I can't see anything other than English dominance at scrum time.

by jimbopip Thu 06 Feb 2020, 4:31 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:
jimbopip wrote:
Tramptastic wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Is Sutherland a much better scrummager than Sinkler?

We're not sure, maybe a bit of hyperbole at this point but he took Furlong to the cleaners on Saturday so there is that...

Hyperbole aside....Cian Healey and Tadgh Furlong are excellent scrummagers. I was not surprised when Ragnar did well against the Irish front row as he is on his way to being a great tight head but I was pleasantly surprised by Sutherland, he is a big, strong laddie but he also seems to have a very good technical skill set too.

Ireland in Dublin are always ferocious in the forwards. Our pack took them on and in boxing terms it would have been a split decision. It'll be close on Saturday, but if the ref manages the scrums properly then I think Scotland could be ahead there. If not it's England penalties and kicks to the corner all day long.

I'm beginning to sound a bit like a broken record as I've made this point several times now (on the Scotland and Edinburgh & Glasgow threads) but Sutherland pre injury was the best LH in Scotland. His technical scrummaging was on par if not superior to Dicko (who was his competition at club and country when he last got capped) and around the loose he was significantly better.

It's just a shame injury & rehab robbed him of so long. Hopefully this is the start of him again showing the player that he was.

Also Jimbo this wasn't specifically aimed at you, I'm just replying to your message as you mentioned him.

No worries, El Spoono, I appreciate it when we share our insights with each other.
I'm beginning to believe a home win is possible. picard

by 123456789. Thu 06 Feb 2020, 4:39 pm

This Ford, Farrell, Joseph axis talk is ignoring the fact that the last time they actually played Scotland they lost, comfortably, and Scotland's tries came through the middle of the park. They also played in 2016 and scraped home in a game we should have won. I'm not saying they're bad players, they're very good. I'm not saying that it's beyond feasibility that they tear up on Saturday, because they have that potential. But there was a very good reason they were broken up as a trio, and that is because Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade are very good players and I am glad they are not the partnership for Saturday.

by EWT Spoons Thu 06 Feb 2020, 4:48 pm

The weather for Sat is supposed to be blowy as f**k, hopefully it won't affect play too much, but maybe not a day for a lot of kicking.

by jimbopip Thu 06 Feb 2020, 4:52 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:The weather for Sat is supposed to be blowy as f**k, hopefully it won't affect play too much, but maybe not a day for a lot of kicking.

A good day for batshitFinnsanity then. Doh

by Gooseberry Thu 06 Feb 2020, 5:07 pm

123456789. wrote: I'm not saying that it's beyond feasibility that they tear up on Saturday, because they have that potential. But there was a very good reason they were broken up as a trio, and that is because Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade are very good players and I am glad they are not the partnership for Saturday.

It was because Joseph got injured.

Although its fairly probable it never would've happened if Tuillagi had always been available to Jones. Indeed Farrell might never have happened under Jones if Tuillagi had been fit and Ford didnt have one bad game kicking.

Do think its fair to say we havent seen the same JJ as of old, and that conditions wise it would be really helpful to have a running 12 rather than one who can only kick or try and throw it wide.

Its hard to imagine this wouldve been first choice in the front row, back row, and outside backs for England had everyone been available. A couple of players starting might not have even made the 23.

by bsando Thu 06 Feb 2020, 6:15 pm

Rugby Fan wrote:Russ Petty stat

England won 15/17 Tests with Ford - Farrell - Joseph starting

https://twitter.com/rpetty80/status/1225359330804977666

This! I think Joseph is class and the way England dismantled Scotland in 2017 was no fluke.

I've predicted a heavy Scottish loss for this one, I hope I'm wrong, but that 10-12-13 partnership scares me more than Tuilagi ever will.

by lostinwales Thu 06 Feb 2020, 6:17 pm

We have gone from a team full of heavy duty carriers to one with only the props in that category. And as has been said Sinckler had a handling game to forget last weekend.

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