Scotland v England, Murrayfield, Sat 8th Feb, 17:00

by yappysnap Sun 02 Feb 2014, 9:32 am

First topic message reminder :

Thought I'd start a thread to discuss next weeks game.

ENGLAND

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has kept faith with the side which lost to France and named an unchanged line-up for Saturday's match against Scotland.
Gloucester's Jonny May starts on the wing despite breaking his nose nine minutes into the 26-24 loss in Paris.
Courtney Lawes will be in the second row after his cheekbone bruising eased, while Danny Care and Owen Farrell form the half-back partnership.
"They're determined to put last week's result behind them," said Lancaster.
England will be hoping to avoid a third successive Test defeat, having lost to New Zealand in the autumn and France in the opening weekend of the Six Nations.
Scotland, however, were well beaten by Ireland on Sunday have not prevailed in the Calcutta Cup since their 15-9 win at Murrayfield in 2008.
"Scotland will be hugely motivated by their defeat in Dublin and, as we found two years ago, Murrayfield is a tough place to play," added Lancaster, who began his England reign with a 13-6 win against Scotland in 2012.
May is not expected to wear a protective face mask when he wins his third cap in Edinburgh.
Luther Burrell, who scored on his debut at the Stade de France, will make his second Test appearance at centre, while Jack Nowell takes up the right-wing spot for what will also be his second cap.
Wasps prop Matt Mullan will travel as the 24th man.

England XI v Scotland: Mike Brown (Harlequins, 22 caps), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints, 1 cap), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 9 caps), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps), Owen Farrell (Saracens, 20 caps), Danny Care (Harlequins, 43 caps), Joe Marler (Harlequins, 16 caps), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 51 caps), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 44 caps), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 15 caps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 26 caps), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 24 caps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt, 21 caps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 6 caps)
Replacements: Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 13 caps), Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 11 caps), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks, 2 caps), Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 6 caps), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 16 caps), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints, 13 caps), Brad Barritt (Saracens, 17 caps), Alex Goode (Saracens, 14 caps)

Scotland

Scots team:

1.grant
2.ford
3.low
4.swinson
5.hamilton
6.wilson
7.fusaro
8.denton
9.laidlaw
10.weir
11.lamont
12.scott
13.dunbar
14.seymor
15 hogg

by HammerofThunor Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:06 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:
nathan wrote:Farrell is going to be trying to much this game i fear.

I have to agree with you here, I think he will be found out badly if he tries too hard.

Agreed.

Also, Taylorman Mako was born in New Zealand (only lived there a year mind)

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:07 pm

Well done Care, we need to build the score.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:09 pm

Can i start my case for T. Youngs to come on Whistle

by Scrumpy Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:09 pm

What a horrid looking pitch!

by nobbled Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:09 pm

This is painful to watch.

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:10 pm

Looking tough for the kickers...

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:10 pm

I like Danny Care, like his style of play. Still think that Ben Youngs should be in the squad, he is a much better impact sub than he is a starter.

by HammerofThunor Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:10 pm

nathan wrote:Can i start my case for T. Youngs to come on

I'd rather we win a few more Lineouts first. Keeps our stats ok.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:10 pm

We're starting to kick far too much.

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:10 pm

I like Care too - good and feisty.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:11 pm

that pitch is an embarrassment.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:11 pm

this is all rather flat.

by mystiroakey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:11 pm

Mud wrestling.

Hartley looks good at it though!!

by mystiroakey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:12 pm

You have to think Scotland made the pitch as bad as possible..

by Scrumpy Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:12 pm

Not going to be a classic imo

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:13 pm

mystiroakey wrote:You have to think Scotland made the pitch as bad as possible..

i agree. actually predicted it last weekend Wink

by Taylorman Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:13 pm

nathan wrote:
Taylorman wrote:no it was me...for some reason I thought he'd already started...looks like theres not a lot in this for us kiwis then...not even a maitland on show...

Hartley?

And the English tour here perhaps...not a bad start from Scotland though...

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:13 pm

36 did alright there to stop Denton at full pace.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:13 pm

Scrumpy wrote:Not going to be a classic imo

so a fairly typical sco v eng match then

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:14 pm

What an excellent line from Burrell clap

by mystiroakey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:14 pm

Oh that was beautifull...

Great try

by Scrumpy Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:14 pm

That was easy

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:14 pm

Luther Burrell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:15 pm

wow! great line burrell!

by Scrumpy Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:15 pm

Scottish coaching staff head in hands already! Laugh

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:16 pm

Danny Care should also get some credit for that try, excellent little run that trapped the Scottish defence out.

by mystiroakey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:17 pm

Kicking is tough out there..

But if Scotland keep that up it could be embarrassing .

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:19 pm

Scotland once again their own worst enemy.

by Scrumpy Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:21 pm

How dare they boo swing low!

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:23 pm

How long before we are forced to ensure uncontested scrums? This ground is tearing up and will become dangerous for scrums.

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:23 pm

Scrumpy wrote:How dare they boo swing low!

I know Scrumpy - popular the world over usually!! rose

by glamorganalun Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:23 pm

Scotland look rubbish, ref correct with that penalty

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:24 pm

scotland need a plan beyond give the ball to denton. starts to get v predictable and easy to counter. like with ireland on george north today.

by nobbled Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:25 pm

Denton is playing well. Making yards.

by glamorganalun Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:26 pm

Why do the ref's not blow against the defending team sealing off not supporting their own weight in the rucks Ireland got away with it all game and now it is happenning in this game.

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:26 pm

Nachos Jones wrote:How long before we are forced to ensure uncontested scrums? This ground is tearing up and will become dangerous for scrums.

the scrum could disappear into a hole dug by driving legs!

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:27 pm

glamorganalun wrote:Why do the ref's not blow against the defending team sealing off not supporting their own weight in the rucks Ireland got away with it all game and now it is happenning in this game.

I would imagine he's taking the state of the pitch into consideration.

by cakeordeath Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:27 pm

What a surprise Ford Frak up the lineout in our own 22

by sportform Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:28 pm

Scotland are woeful.

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:29 pm

cakeordeath wrote:What a surprise Ford Frak up the lineout in our own 22

I loved that Ireland won last week but Ford's throwing has been less than ordinary. He really bottles it when under pressure. This could be a very long day for Scotland, England don't look particularly sharp themselves but are cruising here.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:31 pm

i dont think anyone could look sharp on this pitch, why has it been allowed to take place here.

by mystiroakey Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:31 pm

Nachos I think it's almost impossible to look sharp on this pitch tbh.. They look comfortable though

by sportform Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:33 pm

What is wrong with the pitch? Isn't rugby a winter sport played on grass? Isn't it expected to be muddy?

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:35 pm

nathan wrote:i dont think anyone could look sharp on this pitch, why has it been allowed to take place here.

True I guess but England just don't look that sharp to me. A sharper England would probably be 30 points clear already.

by nathan Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:35 pm

sportform wrote:What is wrong with the pitch? Isn't rugby a winter sport played on grass? Isn't it expected to be muddy?

have you not read about the troubles, they have an infestation.

by cakeordeath Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:35 pm

Can we take Ford off

by quinsforever Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:36 pm

sportform wrote:What is wrong with the pitch? Isn't rugby a winter sport played on grass? Isn't it expected to be muddy?

mud on firm turf is fine. they allegedly have a "nematode" problem so they earth is riddled with holes and therefore disintegrates

by Nachos Jones Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:41 pm

That was a little cheeky cheap shot by Nowell.

He is defo the future for England though, been really impressed with the way he has approached International rugby. After some bad moments last week against the French he never let his head drop.

Much better from England, Scotland lucky not to concede there.

by stub Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:41 pm

Burrell looks so dangerous. Very Happy

by Manu's Boxing Coach Sat 08 Feb 2014, 5:42 pm

That was a penalty and yellow card there, blatant hands in the ruck from the Scots.

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