England v Scotland 6N Championship Saturday 4th February 2023

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England v Scotland
Twickenham Stadium
London

Calcutta Cup & 6 Nations Championship

Saturday 4th February 2023

Kick Off - 16.45



Well here we go again, The Auld Enemies meet up in their first games of the 6N to play for the Calcutta Cup, just the same as last year, except at a different stadium.

Time was, Scotland rocking up at Twickenham was pretty much a certain defeat, but we have won and drawn on our last two trips down south, so maybe HQ does not hold the same fear for us as it once did.


First games of the 6N can of course be a bit of a lottery, when form goes out of the window. Both sides though, could only be described as having patchy form in the first place, with England playing badly enough in the autumn to manage to get their coach the sack and Scotland hardly setting the heather alight either. So a hard one to call.

England under a new coach, have everything to prove and the players have world cup squad places on their minds. A big ask for a new squad under new coaching to immediately get what the new regime wants straight away.

Scotland are perhaps a lot more settled than they have been arriving for recent tournaments and the polemic between the coach, Townsend and the star playmaker, Russell seems to have simmered right down and has the making of a fine romance at the moment, can't live with each other, can't live without. Townsend is also probably playing for his job as well, as his contract has not been renewed post WC either. He says he would consider staying on, but whether he gets the chance will likely depend on a very good tournament from this perennially under performing side, albeit one that can pull off big wins on their day.


Home advantage for this fixture is still massive though and Scotland's depth will be sorely tested going into the competition with some key injuries, so the bookies money probably still rests with England. A close and exciting game though hopefully and I have got a vested interest as I am going!


My guess at the Scotland team:

1. Schoeman
2. Brown
3. Nel
4. Gray R
5. Gilchrist
6. Ritchie - capt
7. Crosbie
8. Fagerson M
9. Horne
10. Russell
11. DVDM
12. Tuipolotu
13. Harris
14. Steyn
15. Kinghorn


Subs

Sutherland
Turner
Fagerson Z
Skinner
Watson
White
Jones H
Smith

Duhan is, well he’s just Duhan

Dombrandt rapidly losing his 8 spot for next game

Ref very hot on England supporting their own weight - fair enough - but he also needs to stop Scotland from illegally slowing down England's ball

Better

Now that was nice play...

Farrell's kicking - not so much ...

Give Smith the kicking tee

Ludlam made that two-on-one look easy. Something England haven't managed for a while.

England attack showing clear improvement ... defence however is woeful

Ludlum is Englands best player by quite some way. Ben Curry struggling

Heaf wrote:England attack showing clear improvement ... defence however is woeful

I disagree, both attacks and defences have been very good. It's a high tempo game so gaps will inevitably open up.

Farrell's two botched conversions might be key. Seeing some superb attacking play by both sides.

You could have driven a truck through the hole in midfield for Scotland's first try ...

Awesome first half! I think its very even but England will win it with home support. Scotland guilty of silly mistakes at lineout time once again. That essentially setup the 2nd England try. England making mistakes too though so it's making this an incredibly tense match.

Malins has been terrific for England, he was a very good selection choice by Borthwick.

Heaf wrote:You could have driven a truck through the hole in midfield for Scotland's first try ...

And most Sunday league players could defend better for the second try...

Greatest try ever in a Calcutta cup game.,,,sod off

Duty281 wrote:Farrell's two botched conversions might be key. Seeing some superb attacking play by both sides.

Yep you'd normally expect him to get both - the first one a bit more difficult but the 2nd should have been a sitter for him ...

England need to play a lot better ib tge second half.
havibg said that England are playing better than they gave doe a while.

England look very good! They'll only get better as well.

We hope

majesticimperialman wrote:England need to play a lot  better ib tge second half.
havibg said that England are playing better than they gave doe a while.

New regime, the new structures are slowly clicking into place. England really need to improve their discipline.

It's two defensive misreads by the English midfield that have given the breaks for the Scottish tries otherwise we managed in defence quite well.

In attack Farrell is playing as a 12 not a dual 10 which is allowing for a more normal game for Smith which is helping him immensely.

Cracking match. Brilliant by VdM but woeful tackling.
Two good tries by Malins and Smith best game for England so far.
Farrell needs to practice kicking maybe....

Great flat passing by England. This is textbook how England should always play

bsando wrote:Great flat passing by England. This is textbook how England should always play

That's the idea I suspect.

Have England done any defence training.....

Ben Curry poor game

Very frustrating. Seven point score, then a basic error off the restart allows Scotland to respond straight away. Plus more missed tackles.

Ben Curry misses a simple tackle and Marchant is again to wide to and out of place to do anything. Disappointing.

JVP hasn't really impressed today.

Chessum looks like a longterm England lock.

The south Africa b side have a good attack at times

Hogg playing his way out the team

Scotland made more than double tackles than England and still flying! That is impressive

Geordie wrote:JVP hasn't really impressed today.

He's managed the tempo really well. His kicks have been generally on the money. I'd like to see more sniping but it's a solid 7/10 for me.

Chessum has been immense, also not a penalty magnet like Jonny Hill

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Geordie wrote:JVP hasn't really impressed today.

He's managed the tempo really well. His kicks have been generally on the money. I'd like to see more sniping but it's a solid 7/10 for me.

I'll give him 6...done ok...

But he'll get alot more chances

That pen looked wrong way to me

Oh Christ the Blair switch project is on.
At least he's at 15, where he can use his pace.

sensisball wrote:Chessum has been immense, also not a penalty magnet like Jonny Hill

He has indeed...

Thoughts on Itoje?

Quite subdued I think.

Spoke too soon about Chessum, silly penalty to give away!

Russell has made too many mistakes

Spoke too soon about Chessum, silly penalty to give away!

Forward pass

Young's kicks away every ball. FFS

Its the Duhan show

I love our bok jocks, or is that jock Boks!

Duhan. Will you marry me?

South Africa b team doing well

Fookin missed conversions first half are going to bite

With Youngs at scrum half I expect nothing

South Africa b win