6N 2016: Scotland v England, 6 February

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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

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

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

reallybored wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:England fans seem to be really happy at their lock selections, but when I looked at the team sheet I didn't see a lock of AWJ's calibre. Then again, there probably isn't anyone in the NH who is the same league as Jones.

Most over-rated lock in the NH.

Lions locks will be J Launchbury & J Gray.  AWJ might make the bench but probably behind Henderson too.

mikey_dragon wrote:

reallybored wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:England fans seem to be really happy at their lock selections, but when I looked at the team sheet I didn't see a lock of AWJ's calibre. Then again, there probably isn't anyone in the NH who is the same league as Jones.

Most over-rated lock in the NH.

Lions locks will be J Launchbury & J Gray.  AWJ might make the bench but probably behind Henderson too.

This thread has been so good. 'Twould be a shame to ruin it.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:England fans seem to be really happy at their lock selections, but when I looked at the team sheet I didn't see a lock of AWJ's calibre. Then again, there probably isn't anyone in the NH who is the same league as Jones.

Take your pish elsewhere.....it's not welcome here.

Who do you think you are?

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

reallybored wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:England fans seem to be really happy at their lock selections, but when I looked at the team sheet I didn't see a lock of AWJ's calibre. Then again, there probably isn't anyone in the NH who is the same league as Jones.

Most over-rated lock in the NH.

Lions locks will be J Launchbury & J Gray.  AWJ might make the bench but probably behind Henderson too.

This thread has been so good. 'Twould be a shame to ruin it.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:England fans seem to be really happy at their lock selections, but when I looked at the team sheet I didn't see a lock of AWJ's calibre. Then again, there probably isn't anyone in the NH who is the same league as Jones.

Take your pish elsewhere.....it's not welcome here.

Who do you think you are?

AWJ (great player that he is) has no relevance on this thread, so there's no point in saying things that no one cares about, and probably wouldn't agree with anyway.

Do we need a 'Me me me! Pay attention to the Welsh thread'

mikey_dragon wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:England fans seem to be really happy at their lock selections, but when I looked at the team sheet I didn't see a lock of AWJ's calibre. Then again, there probably isn't anyone in the NH who is the same league as Jones.

Take your pish elsewhere.....it's not welcome here.

Who do you think you are?

One of the numerous people on here fed up with you and certain other's cr@p. This is the 'Scotland v England' thread, not the 'All Welsh Players Are Vastly Superior To Anyone Else' thread.

Either post something interesting or keep quiet.

Team is exactly as predicted, very good starting 15 given the odd injury. Can't understand Swinson on the bench though, should be Toolis. Not sure about Weir either, never really been convinced by Jackson previously for Scotland but he seems to have improved at Wasps whereas Weir has been pretty mediocre recently.

Team confirmed :


1. Dickinson
2. Ford
3. Nel
4. R Gray
5. J. Gray
6. Barclay
7. Hardie
8. Denton
9. Laidlaw
10. Russell
11. Seymour
12. Scott
13. Bennett
14. Mailtand
15. Hogg

16. McInally 17. Reid 18. Fagerson 19. Swinson 20. Cowan 21. Hidalgo-Clyne 22. Weir 23. Taylor

Weir is a strange one but then Jackson hasn't been getting much game time lately for Wasps. Still a better option though to get our back three going.

It's a very very good team though.

1st XV very good. Fagerson vs Hill will be interesting, Cowan isn't a bad replacement and SHC has thye ability to inject some serious pace in the final quarter. With Taylor coming on too hopefully we can really open the game up in the closing stages.

Weir and Swinson though... not conivinced by those guys.

Cracking starting team.

Couple of slight quibbles on the bench (MacArthur, Toolis & Strauss > McInally, Swinson & Cowan) but other than that, I'm properly stoked.

Fagerson is a tighthead right? Be interesting to see how he goes against Mako late on, think he'll really have a point to prove after being benched for Marler again

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:England fans seem to be really happy at their lock selections, but when I looked at the team sheet I didn't see a lock of AWJ's calibre. Then again, there probably isn't anyone in the NH who is the same league as Jones.

Take your pish elsewhere.....it's not welcome here.

Who do you think you are?

One of the numerous people on here fed up with you and certain other's cr@p. This is the 'Scotland v England' thread, not the 'All Welsh Players Are Vastly Superior To Anyone Else' thread.

Either post something interesting or keep quiet.

I'm merely posting my own point of view, which is that I believe each team (especially England) could do with a better 2nd row. Just because you disagree, or don't find it interesting does not make it cr@p. Grow up. And calm down, it's quite amusing to see you so angry over something so little.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Team confirmed :

1. Dickinson
2. Ford
3. Nel
4. R Gray
5. J. Gray
6. Barclay
7. Hardie
8. Denton
9. Laidlaw
10. Russell
11. Seymour
12. Scott
13. Bennett
14. Mailtand
15. Hogg

16. McInally 17. Reid 18. Fagerson 19. Swinson 20. Cowan 21. Hidalgo-Clyne 22. Weir 23. Taylor

Swinson and Weir stand out like a banana in a bunch of grapes. Neither is test class, yet here we are again. I understand that the dump George Kruis took this morning was larger than Tim Swinson.

Also think that Cowan on the subs bench is odd. How many opensides do you need? I can only assume that Strauss and Harley were deemed not to have played enough lately.

How wonderful for young Zander Fagerson. I really hope that he enjoys the day.

I thought Weir was very poor at the weekend against the Ospreys, always looks busy but not much end result from him.
I don't think Swinson is any more dynamic and mobile than Toolis who is obviously a good deal bigger as well.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:England fans seem to be really happy at their lock selections, but when I looked at the team sheet I didn't see a lock of AWJ's calibre. Then again, there probably isn't anyone in the NH who is the same league as Jones.

Take your pish elsewhere.....it's not welcome here.

Who do you think you are?

One of the numerous people on here fed up with you and certain other's cr@p. This is the 'Scotland v England' thread, not the 'All Welsh Players Are Vastly Superior To Anyone Else' thread.

Either post something interesting or keep quiet.

I'm merely posting my own point of view, which is that I believe each team (especially England) could do with a better 2nd row. Just because you disagree, or don't find it interesting does not make it cr@p. Grow up. And calm down, it's quite amusing to see you so angry over something so little.

Mikey, you might as well post up how badly Donald Trump's presidential campaign did in the Iowa primary for all the relevance AWJ has to this match.

He's a good player to be sure but I understand where Tattie is coming from. Your opinion although valid doesn't really have any bearing on the match between Scotland and England this Saturday.

I personally would have started Itoje instead of Lawes but Jones' doesn't agree with me.

Yeah, Strauss should be on the bench in place of Cowan.

At least England definitely know our strategy!! I expect some massive hits in the ruck.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:England fans seem to be really happy at their lock selections, but when I looked at the team sheet I didn't see a lock of AWJ's calibre. Then again, there probably isn't anyone in the NH who is the same league as Jones.

Take your pish elsewhere.....it's not welcome here.

Who do you think you are?

One of the numerous people on here fed up with you and certain other's cr@p. This is the 'Scotland v England' thread, not the 'All Welsh Players Are Vastly Superior To Anyone Else' thread.

Either post something interesting or keep quiet.

I'm merely posting my own point of view, which is that I believe each team (especially England) could do with a better 2nd row. Just because you disagree, or don't find it interesting does not make it cr@p. Grow up. And calm down, it's quite amusing to see you so angry over something so little.

Mikey, you might as well post up how badly Donald Trump's presidential campaign did in the Iowa primary for all the relevance AWJ has to this match.

He's a good player to be sure but I understand where Tattie is coming from. Your opinion although valid doesn't really have any bearing on the match between Scotland and England this Saturday.    

I personally would have started Itoje instead of Lawes but Jones' doesn't agree with me.

I just like to go around drumming into people how good AWJ is.

My England selection had more of a Saracens contingent too. Itoje was one of those starters and George at hooker was another.

mikey_dragon wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:England fans seem to be really happy at their lock selections, but when I looked at the team sheet I didn't see a lock of AWJ's calibre. Then again, there probably isn't anyone in the NH who is the same league as Jones.

Take your pish elsewhere.....it's not welcome here.

Who do you think you are?

One of the numerous people on here fed up with you and certain other's cr@p. This is the 'Scotland v England' thread, not the 'All Welsh Players Are Vastly Superior To Anyone Else' thread.

Either post something interesting or keep quiet.

I'm merely posting my own point of view, which is that I believe each team (especially England) could do with a better 2nd row. Just because you disagree, or don't find it interesting does not make it cr@p. Grow up. And calm down, it's quite amusing to see you so angry over something so little.

Mikey, you might as well post up how badly Donald Trump's presidential campaign did in the Iowa primary for all the relevance AWJ has to this match.

He's a good player to be sure but I understand where Tattie is coming from. Your opinion although valid doesn't really have any bearing on the match between Scotland and England this Saturday.    

I personally would have started Itoje instead of Lawes but Jones' doesn't agree with me.

I just like to go around drumming into people how good AWJ is.

My England selection had more of a Saracens contingent too. Itoje was one of those starters and George at hooker was another.

Do a lot of preaching to the converted do you?

The guy is a class act but not available for selection for either team. Plenty of great locks to watch in this match though.

This from the offy SRU release:

If called upon from the bench, Fagerson would be the youngest prop to represent Scotland – and the sixth youngest of any Tier One nation – for over half a century.

Good for him. Half a century. That's two Glaswegian lifetimes.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Team confirmed :


1. Dickinson
2. Ford
3. Nel
4. R Gray
5. J. Gray
6. Barclay
7. Hardie
8. Denton
9. Laidlaw
10. Russell
11. Seymour
12. Scott
13. Bennett
14. Mailtand
15. Hogg

16. McInally 17. Reid 18. Fagerson 19. Swinson 20. Cowan 21. Hidalgo-Clyne 22. Weir 23. Taylor

It's a very good team. Being picky I'd trade Swinson for Ben Toolis (not hugely bothered) and Jackson for Weir (slightly more bothered, plus Jackson can cover 15), but all in all very pleased.

Great news for John Barclay, very pleased for him. Also pleased for young Fagerson, a lad with a big future.

Starting to get excited about this, which is always a worry.

Just seen the starting line up. Creamed myself

Barclay will be immense, of that I have no doubt.

Brilliant to see Bennett fit and raring to go in time and so glad Cotter resisted the urge to bung Schlong on the wing/bench.

Only slight quibbles are Weir and Cowan on the bench. Would have preferred Jackson and Strauss to add continuity and bulk coming on respectively. Still small issues when you look at the overall team.

Kilt is dusted off and I'm ready to sing.

I am so happy Barclay has been selected, his form has been immense for the Scarlets since his arrival!!!

For the first time in a while I think the Scottish pack has the edge, not just in certain areas, but in most areas, theyre as hard nosed as the English, and have a skillset to supplement that with.

I'm underwhelmed by the backline though, Russell and Hogg have been mediocre at best, Bennet hasn't played much has he? and Seymour is the best of a poor bunch IMO.

This game will be extremely interesting, if the English pack get the upper hand I think Scotland are in trouble, however I don't expect them to, and I think it'll be a tight game with the benches making the difference.

John Barclay. this just made my day

Forgot to mention, Barclay and Hardie v Haskell and Robshaw could be a hell of a battle, or indeed a massacre!

George Carlin wrote:This from the offy SRU release:

If called upon from the bench, Fagerson would be the youngest prop to represent Scotland – and the sixth youngest of any Tier One nation – for over half a century.

Good for him. Half a century. That's two Glaswegian lifetimes.

Have we been promoted?

Fanster wrote:I am so happy Barclay has been selected, his form has been immense for the Scarlets since his arrival!!!

For the first time in a while I think the Scottish pack has the edge, not just in certain areas, but in most areas, theyre as hard nosed as the English, and have a skillset to supplement that with.

I'm underwhelmed by the backline though, Russell and Hogg have been mediocre at best, Bennet hasn't played much has he? and Seymour is the best of a poor bunch IMO.

This game will be extremely interesting, if the English pack get the upper hand I think Scotland are in trouble, however I don't expect them to, and I think it'll be a tight game with the benches making the difference.

Weir and Swinson will certainly make a difference...

Having McInally on the bench gives us another back row option, should we need it. I actually think he's a more skilful backrower than Cowan, so wouldn't be any loss if he came on there.

Battle of the back row could be crucial on Saturday. Thoroughly looking forward to this now. Aside from the usual unpleasantness that always follows this fixture I'd like to wish you all a happy six nations - it's like Christmas only better.

Big concerns over our bench - the England bench has much more of an impact.

Im not happy with Lawes on the bench. He's a starter or not at all. Itoje is far more of an impact from the bench than him.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Im not happy with Lawes on the bench. He's a starter or not at all. Itoje is far more of an impact from the bench than him.

That kid is playing so well, and in some real form, I would've thought he as a bench option would be ideal as an entry to 6N rugby, against a tired Scottish pack, and, if we're being totally honest not the strongest bench in the tournament.

Exciting times for both teams, I can't recall seeing so many positive Scottish posters in the run up to playing England - which is a bit of a worry I'd love to see them do well this 6 Nations, just not at England's expense please Should be a tense game, let's hope it lives up expectations.

Without sounding harsh on anyone involved, there are generally 2 games per year I fail to get excited about due to having veiwed some real dull affairs, France Italy being one, and Scotland England the other, so happy to say this year will be far different and I am very excited about this one!

reallybored wrote:Cracking starting team.

Couple of slight quibbles on the bench (MacArthur, Toolis & Strauss > McInally, Swinson & Cowan) but other than that, I'm properly stoked.

I wouldn't have McArthur over McInally. The other 2 I agree with.

Fanster wrote:Without sounding harsh on anyone involved, there are generally 2 games per year I fail to get excited about due to having veiwed some real dull affairs, France Italy being one, and Scotland England the other, so happy to say this year will be far different and I am very excited about this one!

Yeah, its never usually one for the neutrals but Im genuinely excited about this one.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Im not happy with Lawes on the bench. He's a starter or not at all. Itoje is far more of an impact from the bench than him.

God the thought of Kruis being injured in the first quarter and us having to cope with Launchbury and Itoje in the lineout scares the crap out of me.

Lineout: Lawes >> Itoje
Scrum: Lawes > Itoje
Maul: Lawes = Itoje
Breakdown: Lawes > itoje
Tackling: Lawes = itoje
Ball Carrying: Lawes < Itoje
Speed: Lawes > Itoje


For me Itoje is hugely promising, but until he improves his lineout he is competing with Launchbury.

England fans needn't worry.

We will be ferociously competitive for 70 minutes, with Laidlaw drilling every penalty within the sticks. Then Swinson will come on to get thrown around like a dog's chew toy and Weir will come on to throw his trademark intercept pass to Jack Nowell in the 78th minute.

Hoonercat wrote:Exciting times for both teams, I can't recall seeing so many positive Scottish posters in the run up to playing England - which is a bit of a worry

George Carlin wrote:England fans needn't worry.

We will be ferociously competitive for 70 minutes, with Laidlaw drilling every penalty within the sticks. Then Swinson will come on to get thrown around like a dog's chew toy and Weir will come on to throw his trademark intercept pass to Jack Nowell in the 78th minute.

Now that's more like it

munkian wrote:

Fanster wrote:Without sounding harsh on anyone involved, there are generally 2 games per year I fail to get excited about due to having veiwed some real dull affairs, France Italy being one, and Scotland England the other, so happy to say this year will be far different and I am very excited about this one!

Yeah, its never usually one for the neutrals but Im genuinely excited about this one.

Me too, and if i'm being totally honest the question marks over England, and optimism surrounding Scotland is probably it. I hope they don't revert to typ and slog it out, part of me worries Scotland will want a 10 man wrestle this time

Can't wait to watch this now. Shall be in Inverness, so probably supporting the Scots or the outlaws will be furious. Also disappointed (with a view to the following week) that Barclay is back in. Great for this week, but I preferred him missing W v S games.

Not too convinced by Farrell at 12 from an England point of view, nor the flankers. Scotland's starting team does look good though.

mikey_dragon wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:England fans seem to be really happy at their lock selections, but when I looked at the team sheet I didn't see a lock of AWJ's calibre. Then again, there probably isn't anyone in the NH who is the same league as Jones.

Take your pish elsewhere.....it's not welcome here.

Who do you think you are?

This is a Scotland ./ England match thread. Stop spoiling it Mickey.

Fanster wrote:

munkian wrote:

Fanster wrote:Without sounding harsh on anyone involved, there are generally 2 games per year I fail to get excited about due to having veiwed some real dull affairs, France Italy being one, and Scotland England the other, so happy to say this year will be far different and I am very excited about this one!

Yeah, its never usually one for the neutrals but Im genuinely excited about this one.

Me too, and if i'm being totally honest the question marks over England, and optimism surrounding Scotland is probably it. I hope they don't revert to typ and slog it out, part of me worries Scotland will want a 10 man wrestle this time

same here. a 10 man wrestle will almost certainly see us crushed by English bulk. We need to keep the game at as high a tempo as possible to give Hardie, Barclay and Denton as much of an oppertunity as possible to ruin the breakdown for England and nulify their strength at source.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

Fanster wrote:

munkian wrote:

Fanster wrote:Without sounding harsh on anyone involved, there are generally 2 games per year I fail to get excited about due to having veiwed some real dull affairs, France Italy being one, and Scotland England the other, so happy to say this year will be far different and I am very excited about this one!

Yeah, its never usually one for the neutrals but Im genuinely excited about this one.

Me too, and if i'm being totally honest the question marks over England, and optimism surrounding Scotland is probably it. I hope they don't revert to typ and slog it out, part of me worries Scotland will want a 10 man wrestle this time

same here. a 10 man wrestle will almost certainly see us crushed by English bulk. We need to keep the game at as high a tempo as possible to give Hardie, Barclay and Denton as much of an oppertunity as possible to ruin the breakdown for England and nulify their strength at source.

I see it a touch different, although I agree playing wider than tight 5 is probably the way to go for Scotland, I think guile of Hardie and Barclay will cause too much trouble for England, who will go into flood the breakdown mode. If the game breaks up too much I see Watson and Joseph running riot.

Fanster - thats the danger - but will they be able to get enough ball considering who is inside them and who is ruining the England breakdowns?

Fanster wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

Fanster wrote:

munkian wrote:

Fanster wrote:Without sounding harsh on anyone involved, there are generally 2 games per year I fail to get excited about due to having veiwed some real dull affairs, France Italy being one, and Scotland England the other, so happy to say this year will be far different and I am very excited about this one!

Yeah, its never usually one for the neutrals but Im genuinely excited about this one.

Me too, and if i'm being totally honest the question marks over England, and optimism surrounding Scotland is probably it. I hope they don't revert to typ and slog it out, part of me worries Scotland will want a 10 man wrestle this time

same here. a 10 man wrestle will almost certainly see us crushed by English bulk. We need to keep the game at as high a tempo as possible to give Hardie, Barclay and Denton as much of an oppertunity as possible to ruin the breakdown for England and nulify their strength at source.

I see it a touch different, although I agree playing wider than tight 5 is probably the way to go for Scotland, I think guile of Hardie and Barclay will cause too much trouble for England, who will go into flood the breakdown mode. If the game breaks up too much I see Watson and Joseph running riot.

That depends on Farrell though doesn't it? This is why I would have started Taylor and rested Bennett. Taylor IMO would have had a better idea where the weaknesses in the English defence lie.

TJ wrote:Fanster - thats the danger - but will they be able to get enough ball considering who is inside them and who is ruining the England breakdowns?

We coped really well with Burrell at 12 last year, distribution wise farrell is a big step up. I may be proved wrong but similar back rows for England have coped well enough in the past.

Where do you guys see Scotland going forward then? I don't think they have enough out wide to out manouvre England, and without Dunbar getting over the game line is up to Grays and Denton.

How do Scotland do enough damage to create try scoring opportunities?

Fanster wrote:Where do you guys see Scotland going forward then? I don't think they have enough out wide to out manouvre England, and without Dunbar getting over the game line is up to Grays and Denton.

How do Scotland do enough damage to create try scoring opportunities?

Turnovers. That's the key for Scotland. Get the ball off England when they are set-up to attack rather than defend and then go for it. I agree that we'll struggle to break England down from a set piece position where the England defence is set - we don't have much in the way of firepower for that - but we do have pace in the backline and Russell at 10, so if we get the ball in broken field then this Scotland team can cause problems.