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 2 Scot_f10

6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February - Page 2 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 2 Pia_mi10

6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February - Page 2 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 2 Daisy_11

6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February - Page 2 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 EWT Spoons Fri 22 Jan 2016, 11:08 am

Pitch is top notch now Cyril. Some hybrid thing that is pristine.

by Cyril Fri 22 Jan 2016, 11:09 am

EWT Spoons wrote:Pitch is top notch now Cyril. Some hybrid thing that is pristine.

Excellent. Scotland/England has had some stinkers in the recent memory. Would be good to have an entertaining one!

by **RDW** Fri 22 Jan 2016, 11:10 am

The pitch is now of a very high standard indeed as it is a grass/hybrid pitch.

It is an excellent playing surface now.

by lostinwales Fri 22 Jan 2016, 11:40 am

I'd guess that playing at home with all things considered there may not be much between the starting teams (unless England come out really trying to prove a point, which is very possible).

What I do think is that assuming we don't get the kind of nothingy replacements Lancaster used to use sometimes, the quality England are liable to have on the bench should be quite a step up from what Scotland will have, and that should be decisive if the game is close late on.

by Cumbrian Fri 22 Jan 2016, 12:08 pm

Haskell is a penalty machine, for a guy with as much international experience as he possess he doesn't half urine me off. On the other hand he could 'sound the horn of anger', which more than makes up for it. picard

Reports I have read have suggested that Haskell at 7 is one of EJ's media mind games and that he intends to use Clifford there. It makes sense if you think about Robshaw and Clifford using their club links whilst Jones gets to know the side. Clifford can actually affect a turnover now and again too...

If you go with the club familiarity line of reasoning a team of:

01. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
02. Jamie George (Saracens)
03. Dan Cole (Leicester)
04. Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
05. George Kruis (Saracens)
06. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
07. Jack Clifford (Harlequins)
08. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

The majority of the pack from Sarries, who are arguably the best performing club team in Europe right now would seem sensible to me. Not sure who calls the lineouts though (Kruis?).

by beshocked Fri 22 Jan 2016, 12:13 pm

Cumbrian yes it would be Kruis. I would be very pleased if that pack was picked.

by **RDW** Fri 22 Jan 2016, 12:17 pm

Josh Strauss once again misses the Glasgow game this weekend with concussion.

Hopefully he'll be OK for this game but he'll certainly be lacking gametime.

Adam Ashe is listed has having a shoulder injury too which is a worry. It would be bad enough having to play him in the first place, never mind having to play whoever is next in line after him should Denton and Struass be injured!

by GLove39 Fri 22 Jan 2016, 12:23 pm

Given how close the game will likely be, concerning that Russell has never scored a drop goal for club or country! Also the kicking off the tee Finn, Laidlaw, SHC & Weir hasn't thrilled me recently.

by **NeilyBroon** Fri 22 Jan 2016, 12:37 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:Josh Strauss once again misses the Glasgow game this weekend with concussion.

Hopefully he'll be OK for this game but he'll certainly be lacking gametime.

Adam Ashe is listed has having a shoulder injury too which is a worry. It would be bad enough having to play him in the first place, never mind having to play whoever is next in line after him should Denton and Struass be injured!

Great excuse to get Barclay in at 8 if all goes to poo ;-)

Lucky 7s all around!

by lostinwales Fri 22 Jan 2016, 12:41 pm

Cumbrian wrote:Haskell is a penalty machine, for a guy with as much international experience as he possess he doesn't half urine me off. On the other hand he could 'sound the horn of anger', which more than makes up for it.

Reports I have read have suggested that Haskell at 7 is one of EJ's media mind games and that he intends to use Clifford there. It makes sense if you think about Robshaw and Clifford using their club links whilst Jones gets to know the side. Clifford can actually affect a turnover now and again too...

If you go with the club familiarity line of reasoning a team of:

01. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
02. Jamie George (Saracens)
03. Dan Cole (Leicester)
04. Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
05. George Kruis (Saracens)
06. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
07. Jack Clifford (Harlequins)
08. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

The majority of the pack from Sarries, who are arguably the best performing club team in Europe right now would seem sensible to me. Not sure who calls the lineouts though (Kruis?).

Which end does Haskell 'sound the horn of anger' from?

Agree with Beshocked its a good looking pack

by Cumbrian Fri 22 Jan 2016, 12:48 pm

Doubt it matters, either would sound silly and he would probably end up putting his own eye out in the process. Time for the 'safety' Horn of Anger...

by offload Fri 22 Jan 2016, 1:01 pm

I look at the Ireland v Wales game and although it's hard to pick a winner I think we know what we'll get. Scotland v England could throw a few surprises. Regardless of the history, Scotland will fancy themselves at home against a new look England and a new coach. If Scotland can start well should be interesting. The England pack might have too much in the end but if they fall behind we could see the nerves kick in. Who knows....

by fa0019 Fri 22 Jan 2016, 1:12 pm

With all the chat about the new coach for England I still think Scotland have a very good shout at spoiling the party.
Without looking at domestic league form a pack of Mako & Cole will not scare Scotland one bit come scrum time and Scotland have to feel confident going in to that contest.

Robshaw is apparently nailed on 6 (loco if you ask me) and Haskell favourite for 7. So tell me, what's changed? A Haskell, Robshaw and BillyV trio is absoluely no change to before.. we bar their if anything weaker in the Lineout without Wood... and heavier too.
If Cotter plays Hardie & Cowan together I can't see the above 3 getting near the ball.

Scotland have to back themselves for this one and at the moment (2 weeks out) I think they should be favourites; at home, decent pack both strong and good at the breakdown.

by RubyGuby Fri 22 Jan 2016, 1:12 pm

offload wrote:I look at the Ireland v Wales game and although it's hard to pick a winner I think we know what we'll get. Scotland v England could throw a few surprises. Regardless of the history, Scotland will fancy themselves at home against a new look England and a new coach. If Scotland can start well should be interesting. The England pack might have too much in the end but if they fall behind we could see the nerves kick in. Who knows....

The Scotland pack will be at least a match for their opponents thumbsup

by offload Fri 22 Jan 2016, 1:15 pm

RubyGuby wrote:
offload wrote:I look at the Ireland v Wales game and although it's hard to pick a winner I think we know what we'll get. Scotland v England could throw a few surprises. Regardless of the history, Scotland will fancy themselves at home against a new look England and a new coach. If Scotland can start well should be interesting. The England pack might have too much in the end but if they fall behind we could see the nerves kick in. Who knows....

The Scotland pack will be at least a match for their opponents

I do hope so. Very Happy

by lostinwales Fri 22 Jan 2016, 1:20 pm

fa0019 wrote:With all the chat about the new coach for England I still think Scotland have a very good shout at spoiling the party.
Without looking at domestic league form a pack of Mako & Cole will not scare Scotland one bit come scrum time and Scotland have to feel confident going in to that contest.

Robshaw is apparently nailed on 6 (loco if you ask me) and Haskell favourite for 7. So tell me, what's changed? A Haskell, Robshaw and BillyV trio is absoluely no change to before.. we bar their if anything weaker in the Lineout without Wood... and heavier too.
If Cotter plays Hardie & Cowan together I can't see the above 3 getting near the ball.

Scotland have to back themselves for this one and at the moment (2 weeks out) I think they should be favourites; at home, decent pack both strong and good at the breakdown.

Swings and roundabouts. If they have that more muscle its also going to be hard to get the ball off them when they do get their hands on it. I would bet on Robshaw playing, and playing very well. As for Haskell it may happen but I'd not bet on that at all.

by fa0019 Fri 22 Jan 2016, 1:23 pm

Robshaw likes places like Murrayfield I agree. Its cold, wet, slow. He never puts in less then 100% and in the right setup he's a very very good player. But with Haskell and BillyV.. can't see it myself. The balance is terrible IMO.

by king_carlos Fri 22 Jan 2016, 1:48 pm

The Murrayfield pitch is a completely different surface to recent years. If Jones goes there with a game plan expecting a mud bath then Cotter will be licking his lips.

It may well be cold and wet but the pitch is now conducive to running rugby if sides take their chances. If it's wet then using the wide channels is more difficult but really it just becomes even more about executing basics under increased pressure. As for the cold, if Prem players aren't used to that then we really are in trouble!

As for Haskell at 7. I could easily see Clifford there instead and if Kvesic impresses in camp then he'll be in with a good shout too. All three are impressing with their club form so what they show in training, when working in combinations and how they react to what the new coaches demand of them could play a big role.

by EWT Spoons Fri 22 Jan 2016, 2:22 pm

king_carlos wrote:The Murrayfield pitch is a completely different surface to recent years. If Jones goes there with a game plan expecting a mud bath then Cotter will be licking his lips.

It may well be cold and wet but the pitch is now conducive to running rugby if sides take their chances. If it's wet then using the wide channels is more difficult but really it just becomes even more about executing basics under increased pressure. As for the cold, if Prem players aren't used to that then we really are in trouble!

Just on this, after a very quick check on the met office site, Edinburgh is roughly the same temp (1 degree colder) than the midlands and the south of England on avg. during Feb. We also have roughly the same level of rainfall and days of rain. I don't know why folk seem to be convinced Edinburgh is like the frozen north during the 6 nations, given we're pretty consistent with the rest of the UK (actually better off than Cardiff and Belfast by a couple of days less rainfall). Granted we don't exactly have much of a summer to write home about, but when it's winter, we're largely all in the same boat. Maybe Murrayfield is slightly more open to the elements making it seem colder/wetter but at pitch level it shouldn't make any difference.

Granted last year our pitch was in a state due to a parasite infestation, so any rain and activity on the pitch made it look like a mud bath, but that shouldn't be an issue this time round.

by cakeordeath Fri 22 Jan 2016, 2:26 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:
king_carlos wrote:The Murrayfield pitch is a completely different surface to recent years. If Jones goes there with a game plan expecting a mud bath then Cotter will be licking his lips.

It may well be cold and wet but the pitch is now conducive to running rugby if sides take their chances. If it's wet then using the wide channels is more difficult but really it just becomes even more about executing basics under increased pressure. As for the cold, if Prem players aren't used to that then we really are in trouble!

Just on this, after a very quick check on the met office site, Edinburgh is roughly the same temp (1 degree colder) than the midlands and the south of England on avg. during Feb. We also have roughly the same level of rainfall and days of rain. I don't know why folk seem to be convinced Edinburgh is like the frozen north during the 6 nations, given we're pretty consistent with the rest of the UK (actually better off than Cardiff and Belfast by a couple of days less rainfall). Granted we don't exactly have much of a summer to write home about, but when it's winter, we're largely all in the same boat. Maybe Murrayfield is slightly more open to the elements making it seem colder/wetter but at pitch level it shouldn't make any difference.

Granted last year our pitch was in a state due to a parasite infestation, so any rain and activity on the pitch made it look like a mud bath, but that shouldn't be an issue this time round.

Don't you understand. Edinburgh is beyond the wall in the Land of Always Winter

by **RDW** Fri 22 Jan 2016, 2:33 pm

cakeordeath wrote:
EWT Spoons wrote:
king_carlos wrote:The Murrayfield pitch is a completely different surface to recent years. If Jones goes there with a game plan expecting a mud bath then Cotter will be licking his lips.

It may well be cold and wet but the pitch is now conducive to running rugby if sides take their chances. If it's wet then using the wide channels is more difficult but really it just becomes even more about executing basics under increased pressure. As for the cold, if Prem players aren't used to that then we really are in trouble!

Just on this, after a very quick check on the met office site, Edinburgh is roughly the same temp (1 degree colder) than the midlands and the south of England on avg. during Feb. We also have roughly the same level of rainfall and days of rain. I don't know why folk seem to be convinced Edinburgh is like the frozen north during the 6 nations, given we're pretty consistent with the rest of the UK (actually better off than Cardiff and Belfast by a couple of days less rainfall). Granted we don't exactly have much of a summer to write home about, but when it's winter, we're largely all in the same boat. Maybe Murrayfield is slightly more open to the elements making it seem colder/wetter but at pitch level it shouldn't make any difference.

Granted last year our pitch was in a state due to a parasite infestation, so any rain and activity on the pitch made it look like a mud bath, but that shouldn't be an issue this time round.

Don't you understand. Edinburgh is beyond the wall in the Land of Always Winter

To quote the Big Yin:

There are two seasons in Scotland - June and Winter!

by RubyGuby Fri 22 Jan 2016, 2:58 pm

Try telling that to the fellas at Scotstoun thumbsup

by **RDW** Fri 22 Jan 2016, 3:01 pm

To paraphrase:

It is always pishin doon in Glasgae

by RubyGuby Fri 22 Jan 2016, 3:04 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:To paraphrase:

It is always pishin doon in Glasgae

Yeah and then there's rain thumbsup

Good luck first up, should be a cracker and your boys can do it.

by EWT Spoons Fri 22 Jan 2016, 3:06 pm

Aye according to the Met office (and anyone who has ever been to Glasgow) it is pishin doon more often there than in the East.

by lostinwales Fri 22 Jan 2016, 3:07 pm

RubyGuby wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:To paraphrase:

It is always pishin doon in Glasgae

Yeah and then there's rain

Good luck first up, should be a cracker and your boys can do it.

I wouldn't get too smug. Swansea is the wettest city in the UK by some margin and don't I just know it. Nobody believed me when I said I was moving to Manchester for the weather....

by **RDW** Fri 22 Jan 2016, 3:08 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:Aye according to the Met office (and anyone who has ever been to Glasgow) it is pishin doon more often there than in the East.

As someone who commutes from the East to the West every day I can very much confirm that to be true.

by king_carlos Fri 22 Jan 2016, 3:25 pm

EWT Spoons wrote:
king_carlos wrote:The Murrayfield pitch is a completely different surface to recent years. If Jones goes there with a game plan expecting a mud bath then Cotter will be licking his lips.

It may well be cold and wet but the pitch is now conducive to running rugby if sides take their chances. If it's wet then using the wide channels is more difficult but really it just becomes even more about executing basics under increased pressure. As for the cold, if Prem players aren't used to that then we really are in trouble!

Just on this, after a very quick check on the met office site, Edinburgh is roughly the same temp (1 degree colder) than the midlands and the south of England on avg. during Feb. We also have roughly the same level of rainfall and days of rain. I don't know why folk seem to be convinced Edinburgh is like the frozen north during the 6 nations, given we're pretty consistent with the rest of the UK (actually better off than Cardiff and Belfast by a couple of days less rainfall). Granted we don't exactly have much of a summer to write home about, but when it's winter, we're largely all in the same boat. Maybe Murrayfield is slightly more open to the elements making it seem colder/wetter but at pitch level it shouldn't make any difference.

Granted last year our pitch was in a state due to a parasite infestation, so any rain and activity on the pitch made it look like a mud bath, but that shouldn't be an issue this time round.

That's pretty much what I was saying EWT. I've lived all over England, Scotland and Wales at various points and by and large winter is a similar boat from my experience! Lots of rain, occasional few inches of snow and most often cold. Being based in Edinburgh currently I would say that it's noticeably colder but if professional rugby players are affected by a few degrees in temperature then lord help us.

The main thing that affects rugby everywhere I've played is the quality of the pitch and the wind. If you have a good quality surface that drains easily and doesn't break up then sides with good core skills can still play running rugby in wet weather. Murrayfield now has a fantastic surface so sides shouldn't be heading there expecting the quagmire of old.

Likewise Cotters side seem to be playing more ambitiously than some recent Scots sides so we shouldn't be preparing for a dour battle of attrition. Unless Jones wishes his England side to play like that which I desperately hope not.

by EWT Spoons Fri 22 Jan 2016, 3:33 pm

king_carlos wrote:
EWT Spoons wrote:
king_carlos wrote:The Murrayfield pitch is a completely different surface to recent years. If Jones goes there with a game plan expecting a mud bath then Cotter will be licking his lips.

It may well be cold and wet but the pitch is now conducive to running rugby if sides take their chances. If it's wet then using the wide channels is more difficult but really it just becomes even more about executing basics under increased pressure. As for the cold, if Prem players aren't used to that then we really are in trouble!

Just on this, after a very quick check on the met office site, Edinburgh is roughly the same temp (1 degree colder) than the midlands and the south of England on avg. during Feb. We also have roughly the same level of rainfall and days of rain. I don't know why folk seem to be convinced Edinburgh is like the frozen north during the 6 nations, given we're pretty consistent with the rest of the UK (actually better off than Cardiff and Belfast by a couple of days less rainfall). Granted we don't exactly have much of a summer to write home about, but when it's winter, we're largely all in the same boat. Maybe Murrayfield is slightly more open to the elements making it seem colder/wetter but at pitch level it shouldn't make any difference.

Granted last year our pitch was in a state due to a parasite infestation, so any rain and activity on the pitch made it look like a mud bath, but that shouldn't be an issue this time round.

That's pretty much what I was saying EWT. I've lived all over England, Scotland and Wales at various points and by and large winter is a similar boat from my experience! Lots of rain, occasional few inches of snow and most often cold. Being based in Edinburgh currently I would say that it's noticeably colder but if professional rugby players are affected by a few degrees in temperature then lord help us.

The main thing that affects rugby everywhere I've played is the quality of the pitch and the wind. If you have a good quality surface that drains easily and doesn't break up then sides with good core skills can still play running rugby in wet weather. Murrayfield now has a fantastic surface so sides shouldn't be heading there expecting the quagmire of old.

Likewise Cotters side seem to be playing more ambitiously than some recent Scots sides so we shouldn't be preparing for a dour battle of attrition. Unless Jones wishes his England side to play like that which I desperately hope not.

My post wasn't specifically aimed at you KC, I just replied to yours as it was the latest one to call out the cold. I can't say I've noticed much of a difference between Edinburgh & Rotherham (currently based there for work...the joys) but as we've both said the weather shouldn't be an issue as it's the same across the UK.

There are no concerns about the pitch, it's in great nick and hopefully like you say both teams are actually able to play rugby. That said who knows what Jones has planned and Scotland have a new attack coach, so could be anyone's guess at this stage.

by king_carlos Fri 22 Jan 2016, 3:48 pm

EWT

Both back lines should be well set for running rugby so hopefully they try to show it.

My fear is that both sides will try to employ a never run from your own half policy looking to kick deep then re-group rather than kick short and compete for the ball. Kicking long be very effective if a side kicks well and finds grass more often than a waiting receiver. Sadly I don't think either side can/will kick consistently enough from hand and it will turn into aerial ping pong with aimless kick after aimless kick going straight to opposition hands.

Hopefully I'm proven wrong and we see kicking used positively to pressure the opposition, then both sides going through phases when it suits.

by robbo277 Fri 22 Jan 2016, 5:10 pm

I hope Jones is playing a bit of kidology. I completely agree with some, Haskell at 7 and Farrell at 12 is just repeating the mistakes of the past.

My choice would be to go with Clifford at 7 as the exceptional talent in a backrow with Robshaw and Vunipola, and Kvesic on the bench. We can then bring Kvesic on for Clifford if he's not working out of Kvesic on for Robshaw or Vunipola and shift Clifford around to pose a different threat.

In the centres, I'm not sure between Hill and Devoto, but Farrell is the form man at 10 and playing him at 12 weakens the 10 shirt as well as him not being the best option at 12.

I think if the plan was to go with Tuilagi and Joseph (which I assume it is), then Burrell should have been called up as a like-for-like stop gap. He's also familiar with Joseph and has a bit of a point to prove with England.

In terms of captain, my problem with Hartley isn't the discipline, it's that he's not the best hooker available to us. Jamie George should start and that should end any debates about Hartley and the captaincy.

Personally, I'd nick an idea off the Scots and go with Youngs and Care as co-captains for the tournament. One of them will always be on the pitch, both have captained their clubs and they both play in a tactical decision-making position anyway. I don't think they'll be particularly burdened by it and it will allow others to play, before Jones can make his decision before the summer tour.

by RubyGuby Fri 22 Jan 2016, 5:15 pm

Who will Captain England when Hartley's in the bin? thumbsup

by beshocked Fri 22 Jan 2016, 5:28 pm

robbo277 I like most of what you said but regards to Burrell I personally think he's been a better 13 than 12. Would also mean Daly missing out, personally that wouldn't bother me but many rate him highly.

The idea of the dual scrum half captaincy thing I like. I don't think either Care or Youngs are an ideal England captain but as a temporary stop gap, sure.

by lostinwales Fri 22 Jan 2016, 5:48 pm

RubyGuby wrote:Who will Captain England when Hartley's in the bin?

Robshaw

by Nematode Fri 22 Jan 2016, 5:58 pm

Duncan Taylor's playing on the right wing for Saracens vs Toulouse - it will be interesting to see how he gets on. If he has a good game I'd be tempted to start him on the wing vs England.

He seems to be a bit faster this season so I think he could do well on the wing. Given Maitland and Seymour have had little game time, I wonder if VC would opt for match fit Taylor?

by robbo277 Fri 22 Jan 2016, 6:30 pm

Beshocked it would definitely only be a stopgap solution, but I think it ticks the boxes while Jones learns his strongest 15 and his strongest captain from that group.

by 123456789 Fri 22 Jan 2016, 6:52 pm

Nematode wrote:Duncan Taylor's playing on the right wing for Saracens vs Toulouse - it will be interesting to see how he gets on. If he has a good game I'd be tempted to start him on the wing vs England.

He seems to be a bit faster this season so I think he could do well on the wing. Given Maitland and Seymour have had little game time, I wonder if VC would opt for match fit Taylor?

I'm not sure that you can make much of a case for selecting Taylor on the wing on the back off one appearance in what is essentially a dead rubber over two experienced and talented International wingers. Having said that Taylor has been arguably the form centre in English rugby and could definitely make a case for starting at 12 from what I've seen although his relatively poor performances for Scotland means it's difficult to envisage him starting ahead of Horne, Dunbar or Scott. On the subject of Scott, what type of centre is he now? At first I thought he'd be a more creative one given his history at fly-half however his lack of kicking game and emphasis on brute force a lot of the time suggest a move away from that. Part of me thinks if he wishes to start ahead of Dunbar then he needs to go back to creating from the centre rather than try to replicate Dunbar's game. I do hope Dunbar regains his old form, which there have been flashes of in fairness, as I think he's potentially a shoo in for the Lions, certainly the only inside
centre at his level in the UK and Ireland is Jamie Roberts (and potentially Manu Tuilagi if he's given a run of games there).

From an English perspective where do you guys see Taylor in comparison to your own options in the centre?

by yappysnap Fri 22 Jan 2016, 7:10 pm

Why is every one talking about Haskell blowing his horn? Headscratch

by Armchairexpert Fri 22 Jan 2016, 8:52 pm

Maybe because he can

by maestegmafia Fri 22 Jan 2016, 9:54 pm

This could be Scotland's biggest chance to start the tournament with a decent scalp in a good few years. They had a good World Cup, have a smart coach and some good players throughout their squad.

by TJ Fri 22 Jan 2016, 9:58 pm

pitch is new semi synthetic state of the art

Scotland will play an expansive ish game looking to score tries, play at a high tempo and to make intercepts and turnovers. I also expect them to wind up the brittle temperd guys in the england squad - and if Farrell does play 12 he is in for a rough ride indeed. Our centres will eat him for breakfast. He would only be a snack for Dunbar. I really hope he does as I think it would be a huge mistake.

I expect England to move on from the WC failed tactics of nullifying the opposition but apart from that I don't know how they will play. Lots of stodgy pick and goes and mauls and look for set pieces at a guess with the backs getting scraps only.

On Hartly - I detest him but I can understand why Jones might make him captain - England need a it more bite (sic) than they showed in the WC. If JHones makes that call its his to make and he stands or falls on it. could easily go either way.

by Exiledinborders Fri 22 Jan 2016, 10:47 pm

TJ wrote:Our centres will eat him for breakfast. He would only be a snack for Dunbar.

by GLove39 Sat 23 Jan 2016, 12:02 pm

Now this is damned exciting news! Finally the SRU have got Richie 'collision king' Gray back!

23 JAN COTTER RECRUITS CONTACT SPECIALIST FOR RBS 6 NATIONS

Head Coach Vern Cotter has appointed Defensive Contact Specialist, Richie Gray, on a consultancy basis for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Gray joins the Scotland set-up following a three-season spell as South Africa’s Specialist Breakdown Coach – culminating in their bronze medal finish at Rugby World Cup 2015 – as well as the ‘Blitzbokke’ 7s side.

by cakeordeath Sat 23 Jan 2016, 1:24 pm

GLove39 wrote:Now this is damned exciting news! Finally the SRU have got Richie 'collision king' Gray back!

23 JAN COTTER RECRUITS CONTACT SPECIALIST FOR RBS 6 NATIONS

Head Coach Vern Cotter has appointed Defensive Contact Specialist, Richie Gray, on a consultancy basis for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Gray joins the Scotland set-up following a three-season spell as South Africa’s Specialist Breakdown Coach – culminating in their bronze medal finish at Rugby World Cup 2015 – as well as the ‘Blitzbokke’ 7s side.

Came here to post this. I think it's excellent news. Hopefully we can bring him into the coaching team on a more permanent basis

by **RDW** Sat 23 Jan 2016, 1:32 pm

Excellent news! We do now have an incredible number of coaches though

by GLove39 Sat 23 Jan 2016, 1:59 pm

True, but can't under estimate the importance of the backroom. From our glorious director of rugby down to the kit man everyone matters

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Sat 23 Jan 2016, 3:08 pm

Just seen this too. Superb bit of business, very happy

by Cyril Sat 23 Jan 2016, 3:48 pm

Defensive Contact Specialist? I'm not sure if even SCW had one of those on the 2005 Lions tour!

by Majestic83 Sat 23 Jan 2016, 3:57 pm

Brilliant news, gray is the best breakdown coach around & will make a big impact. Coached by him a few times in my younger years and an excellent technical coach but also very good at man management.

by maestegmafia Sat 23 Jan 2016, 3:59 pm

I didn't think Scotland struggled at the breakdown? This an astute signing by a canny coach. I see Eddie Kones has done the same in hiring George Smith to coach break down for your opposition.

Sure to be a great contest.

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