England v Scotland The Calcutta Cup Saturday 6th February 2021

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England v Scotland
The Calcutta Cup

Twickenham Stadium
London

Saturday 6th February 2021
KO 16.45


Well here we go for a 6n opener.

It is going to be a slightly odd one no doubt, playing this game in an empty stadium. It has been said in the past that Twickenham lacks atmosphere a bit, but we won't have seen anything on this scale.

As usual, it will be England's game to lose. Twickenham has been a graveyard for Scottish sides for a long long time. In terms of hope though for us Scots, the last few games have been a lot closer than usual and who can forget the madness of the last time out, the ultimate game of two halves.

England are missing a few players and there has to be some questions about the match prep of some of the Saracens players, who have not played since the autumn. How they get on in this game will be the great question mark hanging over this game and may set the tone for England over the entire championship. I would imagine Scotland will be pleased to be playing them first up in all honesty.

On the other hand, do Scotland, who with Finn Russell back and pulling the strings and looking a stronger proposition than in the autumn, really believe that they can win in London. They are also largely injury free. It would be a massive step forward for them as a team if they could do that. It remains unclear though and the smart money is still going to be on an England win, albeit likely a scrappy one.


Here is my stab at the Scotland team:

1. Sutherland
2. Turner
3. Fagerson Z
4. Cummings
5. Gray J
6. Ritchie - If fit, but Toonie making promising noises on that front
7. Watson
8. Fagerson M
9. Price
10. Russell
11. Maitland
12. Redpath - I think Toonie will roll the dice
13. Harris
14. VDM
15. Hogg

Subs

Keeble
Cherry
Nel
Gray R
Graham -might have been in the side if not playing this sunday
Steele
VDW
Jones H


The big calls for Toonie are at 12 and No.8

Redpath looks ready and I think he should play him. Graham might have to wait a week, as i think playing today might well count against him, so let Matt Fagerson have the first bite of the cherry.

Nice wee run from sleepy Sean there

England surely on the cusp of another yellow for repeat penalties?

tigertattie wrote:Nice wee run from sleepy Sean there

A few nice breaks, but unlucky with the support on the shoulders.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Youngs and Farrell having shockers.....yet again. Starting to become a regular thing this

Did you type this or is it set to automatically post? Youngs has been probably our best player. Now that's a very low bar but he has been the only hint of positive attacking play. His break from which Russell was sin binned was excellent and had he not been tripped we could have been in.

Farrell is fecking useless. He looks like an amateur level player thrown into the deep end. We need Ford badly. Our captain has also done nothing to stop the repeated penalties he's not got hold of his team at all. Someone has to get hold of our pack leader and whomever is organising the defence and give them a slap to wake them up.

Lawes at 6 I don't think is going to help.

Since the world cup has Eddie Jones changed the tactics to simply say England will defend and nothing else?

Kick of the game hoggy

England are not winning today.

Well played Scotland.

Based on what we have seen so far, what is the reason for England to feel optimistic?

I don’t understand England’s tactics at the moment. Eddie came in, solidified the defence with simple, low risk attacking. Then he went to intensity and speed. Now we are nothing, middle of the road. What’s our USP?

Ive literally seen our football team kick it less in 90 minutes!

How is Vunipola still on???????

Well that maul was a mess

How is Billy V still on?

Why is Billy V. still out there? Earl needs to come on now.

Regardless of the outcome, it's going to be a prickly post-match press conference with Eddie Jones.

doctor_grey wrote:Based on what we have seen so far, what is the reason for England to feel optimistic?

Jonny May

Finn Russels ability to implode

Its only 1 score

The game against France

All the opportunities brexit is giving us?

A cuddly toy

doctor_grey wrote:Based on what we have seen so far, what is the reason for England to feel optimistic?

60 terrible minutes = 5 points. 20 average minutes wins it.

We need to get some of our “finishers” on

I told you so.....always best to do your talking on the pitch. Still time to rescue this but shocking so far from England

"I always worry when England talk themselves up in the media. It immediately adds to the opposition team talk and helps to fire them up. Absolutely no issue with setting high objectives internally, but I don't like setting yourselves up for failure. Last year Eddie talked about brutality prior to the France game and yes they smashed us up. Now we have this..."We are up there with the best in the world, but we want to able to take teams apart with our attack." from Jamie George. Now there will be many of you who will point out that of course he and England can make statements like this - that is their right. But I would love for this to internal only. Aim high and go for this, but keep it quiet to the press. Don't help motivate Scotland."

Ah ha. Here come some reinforcements

Scottrf wrote:How are the attacking team allowed to go straight into their hands on a ruck but defending team isn’t. Impossible to compete.

England weren't allowed to after Itoje's first charge down. Also Curry pinged for in the side and then a couple of mins later Scotland do the same and it's fine ... I'm watching on catch-up but so far it looks like the ref doesn't like England much - not that England are doing themselves any favours either - distinctly average.

Another worldly kick from Hogg. Keeping England in the corners is 100% the way to do it

doctor_grey wrote:Based on what we have seen so far, what is the reason for England to feel optimistic?

I think we're hoping for a late Ford try to save the game aren't we?

Robson looks so far out his depth it's embarrassing. This isn't the Robson we see for Wasps. 

What was the Farrell kick about? Dire. Can someone knock him out so Eddie has to put Ford on please.

tigertattie wrote:Another worldly kick from Hogg. Keeping England in the corners is 100% the way to do it

Scottish game management has been incredible. Tactics spot on and the team very organised. If they can start being clinical in the 22 then they can win the 6N this year.

And to add.....

FARRELL IS RUBBISH!!! Seriously now...i cant remember a 8+ out of 10 game from him in a long long time.

Used to be able to at least rely on his penalty kicking but even that is inconsistent these days

Robsons a total headless chicken

I would be shocked if Eddie Jones pulls Farrell. Even though he deserves a seat on the bench.

That kick for example...how isnt he pinging that inside scotlands 10 at least!

formerly known as Sam wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Another worldly kick from Hogg. Keeping England in the corners is 100% the way to do it

Scottish game management has been incredible. Tactics spot on and the team very organised. If they can start being clinical in the 22 then they can win the 6N this year.

East there tiger. Let’s see how this game pans out before we start talking winning the championship lol

Can Ford rescue this? Eddie way too late making this call

And you dont want the line to flat but the balls going back 10 yards on the first pass everytime...gain 5...then lose 10 off our own pass.

This has been a horrendous watch as an England supporter and thats being very polite

hugehandoff wrote:Can Ford rescue this? Eddie way too late making this call

Takes of Lawrence so that Ford has two playmakers and no runners in the midfield outside him. FFS.

Time for an Edinburgh playbook

Give it to Duhan

tigertattie wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Another worldly kick from Hogg. Keeping England in the corners is 100% the way to do it

Scottish game management has been incredible. Tactics spot on and the team very organised. If they can start being clinical in the 22 then they can win the 6N this year.

East there tiger. Let’s see how this game pans out before we start talking winning the championship lol

Just trying to jinx it and pave the way for a totally undeserved English victory.

Agree sam shocking...

formerly known as Sam wrote:

hugehandoff wrote:Can Ford rescue this? Eddie way too late making this call

Takes of Lawrence so that Ford has two playmakers and no runners in the midfield outside him. FFS.

Farrell had to go....weak from Eddie.

But take nothing away from Scotland. Excellent performance.

Credit to Scotland but by god England are a shambles.

Time for Eddie to ditch some of his old pals...

Would’ve gone to the corner, instead of the Hogg long ranger. Even if England stole the line, they’ve still got to play out from their own 22

Too cowardly from the players...obeying the EJ tactics even when they aren't working

England have regressed so much over the last year. Tactics from the dark age. Makes no sense considering the quality backs England have at their disposal.

Oh dear Jonny may

Worst performance under Jones, very concerning.

Wow...Johnny.

Its like watching the Benny Hill show

Jonny Gray has had his best game for Scotland. Now his big brother is on as well. Amazing.

That sums it up.

Sorry Eddie but THAT was bad.

He really needs to sort this out.

Grand slam is on

Too soon?

Well done Scotland. No powder puff pack any more

Well done Scotland.

6 points at home...