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.

Good strong finish, considering he was given the pass too early.

Scotland are making the plays. England are not. England need to pull their heads out or this will be a long afternoon. This Scotland team won't give anything up.

Scotland will be peeved should it be this scoreline difference come half time. Cant imagine we will play this badly 2nd half.

Even more so now. Nice by youngs.

A Russell/Redpath/Jones midfield would look very tasty.

Redpath looking assured at this level

Russell oh dear.

Jeez Russell. What are you thinking???

Agree on the finish being strong Duhan. Daly will get stick because that's in vogue but the only England back three player who stops Duhan there is probably Nowell.

England sticking with their habit of clinging in there whilst playing badly.

So silly by Russell when playing well. Just absolutely no need at all. He was having an excellent game.

Stupid by Finn

Braindead. I thought most deliberate trips were red, no?

Why didn't England go for the corner there?

doctor_grey wrote:Braindead. I thought most deliberate trips were red, no?

Normally yellow.

England will win. For all of Scotland's energy they are barely ahead

Summary so far

1. England are rusty as hell
2. Ali price is rotten
3. Finn is still prone to rushes of blood to the head

Two points after that half suggests England will coast it IMO.

Jones earns his pay here. 3 obvious ones lawes, robson and earl for vunipola. Harsh to yank any of the other back row as they've had sod all to work with.

doctor_grey wrote:Why didn't England go for the corner there?

I'm usually a "go for the corner" fan but think Faz made the right call there.

6-8 at half time with Scotland a man down for 8 minutes after a terrible half. I'll take that on balance.

England can hit Scotland hard with Finn off the pitch then start bringing the subs on. I expect Cowan-Dickie, Lawes, Earl and Ford to come on fairly early.

Containing the recent theme of Scotland not being able to make possession count and come away with points. Lineout much improved, Turner is playing well and Redpath looks to the manor born and far more productive than Harris. Just feels like we’ve failed to take our chance and England are getting into their stride now

Well, so far Turner is in the running for MOM for me. Russell and Hogg contrived to give England 3 points and a yellow card advantage.
Scotland need to see out the next ten minutes without falling behind.
Billy V doesn't look as if he spent Lockdown on the sofa: he looks like he ate the sofa.
Itoji is the best England player by a country mile.

Get Billy off and Lawes on, lineout needs fixing.

Shocking so far Eddie.

lostinwales wrote:England will win. For all of Scotland's energy they are barely ahead

Agreed. Scotland should have put at least a 14 point lead on the scoreboard after England's woeful opening thirty minutes. England won't be that poor in the second half, and they have the much stronger bench.

I walked in on my wife and the milkman, the first thing she says is "don't tell the butcher"!

the only England back three player who stops Duhan there is probably Nowell.

Not a chance - he takes 3 to stop him. took three men there and he still got it down

TightHEAD wrote:Get Billy off and Lawes on, lineout needs fixing.

Shocking so far Eddie.

Wilson to 8?

I think Wilkinson's summary is fair. Youngs cant be experienced to choose who to pass to when there are 3 players to choose from. You need to give him and scottish defence one clear option. Ffs.

TJ wrote:

the only England back three player who stops Duhan there is probably Nowell.

Not a chance - he takes 3 to stop him. took three men there and he still got it down

Brown stops him there. Any decent full back tbf.

Steward drives him about 5 meters back.

Get LCD on...George has given up 2 crucial line outs in the Scottish 22...can't afford that

No 7&1/2 wrote:I think Wilkinson's summary is fair. Youngs cant be experienced to choose who to pass to when there are 3 players to choose from. You need to give him and scottish defence one clear option. Ffs.

Other than the airball I think he’s been alright. But yeah difficult for him with some many options within 3m of each other.

England are a little rusty at the moment. far too many penalties as well.

U do ex[ect Emglamd tp bounce back in the second half, but no more penalties please/

He has been better than he has Scott but that was obviously dripping in sarcasm and I hope your comment was too. If he cant pick a pass there he shouldn't be near the team.

7 1/2 I take it you don't watch pro 14 rugby? Duhan is almost never stopped by the first tackler - even when he hits forwards.

He is very powerful and fast.

My wife met me at the door the other night in a sexy negligee. Unfortunately, she was just coming home.

TJ wrote:7 1/2 I take it you don't watch pro 14 rugby? Duhan is almost never stopped by the first tackler - even when he hits forwards.

He is very powerful and fast.

Watch bits and bats but hat attempt by Daly was woeful. And steward is kinda useful.

Big half.

Awful by youngs.
Ffs

Praise for Itoje but charge downs aside he’s been a liability imo. Looks slow too.

Lawrence and Watson no carries in the first half. Shocking.

doctor_grey wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Get Billy off and Lawes on, lineout needs fixing.

Shocking so far Eddie.

Wilson to 8?

Yes.

What is the point of Young's?

TightHEAD wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Get Billy off and Lawes on, lineout needs fixing.

Shocking so far Eddie.

Wilson to 8?

Yes.

What is the point of Young's?

At the moment? Nothing.

We have the ball and decide to kick it away...do we think we're at a defence practice session???

doctor_grey wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Get Billy off and Lawes on, lineout needs fixing.

Shocking so far Eddie.

Wilson to 8?

Yes.

What is the point of Young's?

At the moment?  Nothing.

Here’s there to give us a chance when we are playing price

tigertattie wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:Get Billy off and Lawes on, lineout needs fixing.

Shocking so far Eddie.

Wilson to 8?

Yes.

What is the point of Young's?

At the moment?  Nothing.

Here’s there to give us a chance when we are playing price

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

The second half is starting right where the first half ended with Scotland doing very well. The sign of lunacy is to continue doing the same thing and expect different results. Time to bring on the replacements asap. Billy V. (aka Billy Cheeseburger) still has a clean jersey.

England just look knackered

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

He clapped with his tackling hands...

If I were Scotland, I would have gone for the corner. They are pushing England around...

Why can we not stop kicking directly to them???? We're not even getting a chance to compete....to quote Dr Geller..."this is not good for my rage"