The Calcutta Cup Saturday 5 Feb 2022

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Scotland vs England

BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Saturday 5th of February 2022
Kick Off 4:45pm

What the Coaches are saying

Gregor Townsend - "The players have been in outstanding form for their respective clubs.. and that is outstanding!" *tongue click*

Eddie Jones - "There are some young players getting an opportunity. They just need to make sure they don't get distracted or else they might not do so well."

Scotland Team

1. Sutherland 2. Turner 3. Z Fagerson
4. J Gray 5. Gilchrist
6. Ritchie 7. Watson 8. M Fagerson.
9. Price 10. Russell
12. Johnson 13. Harris
11. Van der Merwe 14. Graham
15. Hogg

Replacements: McInally, Schoeman, Nel, Skinner, M Bradbury, White, Kinghorn, Tuipulotu.

England Team

1. Genge 2. Cowan-Dickie 3. Sinckler
4. Itoje 5. Isiekwe
6. Ludlam 7. Curry (c) 8. Simmonds.
9. Youngs 10. Smith
12. Slade 13. Daly
11. Marchant 14. Malins
15. Steward

Replacements: George, Marler, Stuart, Ewels, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford, Nowell.

hugehandoff wrote:2nd guessing Eddie is a loser's game. What about Simmonds at 6 and Dombrandt at 8 to start? If Isiekwe  and Itoje in the 2nd row do you start George for some club continuity? So difficult to predict tomorrow's team.

One thing is for certain - there's usually an unusual call, which quite often works out well (Marchant or Tuilagi at 14 for example).

Mr Bounce wrote:

hugehandoff wrote:2nd guessing Eddie is a loser's game. What about Simmonds at 6 and Dombrandt at 8 to start? If Isiekwe  and Itoje in the 2nd row do you start George for some club continuity? So difficult to predict tomorrow's team.

One thing is for certain - there's usually an unusual call, which quite often works out well (Marchant or Tuilagi at 14 for example).

Marler at 9?

tigertattie wrote:

Mr Bounce wrote:

hugehandoff wrote:2nd guessing Eddie is a loser's game. What about Simmonds at 6 and Dombrandt at 8 to start? If Isiekwe  and Itoje in the 2nd row do you start George for some club continuity? So difficult to predict tomorrow's team.

One thing is for certain - there's usually an unusual call, which quite often works out well (Marchant or Tuilagi at 14 for example).

Marler at 9?

Now that i would like to see.

Well, one thing's for certain, you wouldn't get anyone trying to tackle the scrum half at the base of the ruck

This is a well hashed conversation but I echo the points that all this chat of the Scotland players 'hating' the English is a very out of date concept and lazy stereotype these days. There's no doubt it is the one game that the Scotland team get up for more than any other game, but there is a big difference between 'hatred' and getting up for the oldest International rugby rivalry. It is intense, fierce and passionate - just what you want international rugby to be. Some players may 'hate' the opposition but that's much more based on personaility than the fact they're English (Ryan Wilson being a case in point), but the days of the team talk going on about Maggie Thatcher and the battle of Bannockburn are long gone.

Another well worn stereotype is that the Scotland team is full of 'foreigners' and has completely lost its national identify. I've put a likely 23 below and colour coded blue for 'pureblood' Scots, orange for Scottish parent or grandparent and red for residency.

Sutherland
Taylor
Fagerson
Gray
Cummings
Ritchie
Watson
Fagerson

Price
Russell
VDM
Redpath (his dad is a Scotland rugby former captain - I'm claiming him!)
Harris
Graham
Hogg

Subs - Schoeman, McInally, Nel, Gilchrist, Bradbury, Horne, Kinghorn, Steyn

That's a huge amount of blue! Obviously there may be different selections to bring in less blue (like Steyn or Vellacott) but the point is there - the vast majority of our best team is Scottish or Scottish heritage.

The reason the wider squad has to cast the net far and wide is depth - we have by some distance the smallest playing base of any 6N team. It is remarkable we can even compete at this level given the disparity in rugby playing adults in Scotland. it is inevitable therefore that we have to look outside of Scotland for depth. If a player has Scottish parents or grandparents I have absolutely no issue with them playing for Scotland. Residency is a far more complicated topic but I'm fairly relaxed on that too, particularly as it's now 5 years which is a long time in anyone's life.

Heuer27 wrote:Smith has shown the talent and so far, the mental toughness to deal with international rugby but he has not as yet experienced the intensity of 6 N rugby.
He will be travelling to stadia where almost the whole crowd will be openly hostile. It’s a bit different to playing AI’s at twickenham.
I hope he does shine through because rugby needs guys like him, Russell, Ntamack and Mounga to show how the game should be played.
Shame the weather doesn’t look like it’s going to play ball for Saturday but it will be a feisty affair regardless.

Been thinking about this and trying to unpick why I think he won't be fazed by it, and it comes down to the fact that at every point in his career so far he's been thrown in at the deep end (sometimes deliberately) and has never been fazed.

As a teenager at Brighton College they tried to introduce him gently - putting him on as a sub at scrum half in a game they'd already lost. He won it for them, and was promoted to starting fly half, from memory as a 5th former playing for the 1st XV. Then his coaches decided that that wasn't challenging enough for him, so they started messing with the games to make it harder, like telling him he could only score by kick passing to a hooker. At one point they told the rest of the team to lie to him about what they were seeing on the pitch. This was in competitive school games, by the way, not friendlies.

He got sent to provide training fodder for Japan in the 2015 RWC, and impressed Eddie Jones at first sight.

Quins planned to introduce him gradually over several seasons. Then Catrakilis broke his hyoid bone in a freak (and very scary) incident a few minutes into the season opening Double Header, and Smith is suddenly the starting fly half for Quins from that point on.

Finally gets his England call up, then gets called up to the Lions in the middle of his second cap, trains with the squad for less than a week and runs a great game with a team he's barely trained with, albeit against weak opposition.

Gentle introduction to the AIs with Farrell to support him goes out of the window against Australia. Loses Tuilagi 3 minutes into the South Africa game and their pack gradually asserts dominance. Still wins both games.

The 6N may turn out to be different. Scotland and the Murrayfield crowd and the wind and the rain may get to him. But there have been plenty of chances for him to crack in the past, and there's been no sign of him doing so.

It is easy to forget that Smith is only 22 but has played 120 games for Quins, 102 as starter.
As context, Sexton is 36 with 180 appearances for Leinster.

This is Smith's time, he is ready - he just has to take the opportunity, as George Ford will be waiting.

What a stat that is Rec.

Both stats are just as remarkable, and for completely opposite reasons!

Apparently Smith can hear sign language and counted to infinity twice.
( )

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 5 caps)

14. Max Malins (Saracens, 10 caps)

13. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 52 caps)

12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 43 caps)

11. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 7 caps)

10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 5 caps)

9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 112 caps)

1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)

3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 51 caps)

5. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 3 caps)

6. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)

7. Tom Curry (c) (Sale Sharks, 36 caps)

8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 9 caps)

Finishers

16. Jamie George (Saracens, 61 caps)

17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 74 caps)

18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 15 caps)

19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)

20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 4 caps)

21. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)

22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 77 caps)

23. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)

Overall good team but disappointed not to see Dombrandt over Simmonds and Daly concerns me.

That back row is exciting.

And as expected Eddie does an unusual and puts Daly at 13...

Well, team's up. It's not what I would have predicted and I think I prefer many of the bench to the starters - but at least it has most players in their best positions and it's a very exciting backline. Actually quite happy to see Daly at 13 in a side that can make the best use of him there - and he brings some much needed experience. From 10-14 it's probably the most creative backline I can remember from England, and there are lots of ways they can switch position in play to cover gaps or stretch the defence. Marchant covers 11, 13, 14, Slade 12 and 13, Daly 11, 13, 14 (just please not fullback) and Malins 10, 11, 14 and 15. Smith and Steward are specialists in their positions but why would you use them anywhere else?

Team announcement

No 7&1/2 wrote:Overall good team but disappointed not to see Dombrandt over Simmonds and Daly concerns me.

Dombrabnts good but covering two players is a push

Well i didnt see that team coming.

Poorfour wrote:Well, team's up. It's not what I would have predicted and I think I prefer many of the bench to the starters - but at least it has most players in their best positions and it's a very exciting backline. Actually quite happy to see Daly at 13 in a side that can make the best use of him there - and he brings some much needed experience. From 10-14 it's probably the most creative backline I can remember from England, and there are lots of ways they can switch position in play to cover gaps or stretch the defence. Marchant covers 11, 13, 14, Slade 12 and 13, Daly 11, 13, 14 (just please not fullback) and Malins 10, 11, 14 and 15. Smith and Steward are specialists in their positions but why would you use them anywhere else?

Team announcement

Slade can cover at FB (and 10 at a stretch) too.

Very interested to see how Daly goes in defense as its not usually such a strong point for him and they always have that as a key factor at 13 - but it is rated as his best position.

I do wonder if the back row is a horses for courses combo for Scotland - who seem to be fast and furious but lacking in serious muscle

Very quick backline. Very mobile back row. Saracens lock combo and tried and tested in the front row. They are not going to lose for lack of attacking intent.

That's a very mobile pack. Simmonds and Ludlam are quick for back rows. Isiekwe is just as home at blindside as lock and gets around the park. Itoje obviously gets about everywhere. Genge, Cowan-Dickie and Sinckler are all ball carrying front rows.

With all the absentees I'm actually very happy with that.

For a long while I've thought Daly's best position is 13. He's got such a rounded skill set and so much pace that if he gets it right he could be absolutely brilliant there. We'll see at the weekend I guess!

Isiekwe starting over Ewels especially. I simply think Isiekwe is a much better player, hopefully this means he will stay in the squads ahead of Ewels if/when some combination of Lawes, Hill and Launchbury return over the tournament.

I really like the pack tbf in terms of breakdown work. We've been turned over there by Scotland a couple of times, and looking at it we shoudn't be here. Isiekwes lineout work has been top notch for Saracens and so has Itojes obviously, a little bit lacking in 3rd jumper but as i think WPI said Curry and Ludlam both used by their clubs so will be interesting. A back 3 whose positioning are all top notch. Good bench.

98% chance of rain, with a fair breeze, at kick off. How both teams play will be more vital than the actual selections. Big question on England's tight 5 to get parity, which will be a huge challenge. Plenty of kicking options in the backs which will be important as this will be a day for territory rather than any flash stuff. Play in the right areas. And we have some good players under the high ball so that is useful. I feel Daly is a stretch as maybe Atkinson would be useful in the wet conditions to get over the gain line. We need Genge and Sinckler to have a good day at the office.

king_carlos wrote:That's a very mobile pack. Simmonds and Ludlam are quick for back rows. Isiekwe is just as home at blindside as lock and gets around the park. Itoje obviously gets about everywhere. Genge, Cowan-Dickie and Sinckler are all ball carrying front rows.

With all the absentees I'm actually very happy with that.

For a long while I've thought Daly's best position is 13. He's got such a rounded skill set and so much pace that if he gets it right he could be absolutely brilliant there. We'll see at the weekend I guess!

Isiekwe starting over Ewels especially. I simply think Isiekwe is a much better player, hopefully this means he will stay in the squads ahead of Ewels if/when some combination of Lawes, Hill and Launchbury return over the tournament.

Isiekwe has a chance now, and playing at Saracens with Itoje won't do any harm

Interesting team. Hope we see some more consistency going forward with selection from this point with the World Cup 19 months away. For that reason I wish Randall was picked over Youngs - can't go into another World Cup with Youngs, surely?

Back row looks excellent, Marler and George on the bench highlights the strength in depth in the front row, and Smith is a wonderful talent who has the potential to eclipse Wilkinson. Daly at 13 is much better than Daly at 15.

Tough game against the Scots though, particularly with all the rain around. 50-50.

I think the team shows signs that Jones is more interested in having and England team building toward his world cup vision than a starting XV designed to counter Scotland and a grim day.

Daly at 13 is a bit of a rapid promotion for someone who "needs some games and form", especially when he pushes specialist 13s to 12 and wing. Suspect the backs will be pretty interchangeable though, and Slade at 12 was pretty obvious to fill the Farrell role. Perhaps Marchant on the wing is to give some more direct solidity on the outside rather than playing 3 fullbacks.

CAB to fact check but a quick mental add up looks like the bench has a much higher average cap count than the first XV, and to a fair extent its the "impact" players starting. In spite of the weather it does seem England will try to play fast from the off (cue the YOUNGS HATE)

Just realised that Isiekwe is only 23. Getting capped at 19 makes it seems like he's been around forever.

That is a very mobile pack.
Exciting backline.
Strong bench on 60 mins.
No-one can say EJ doesn't appear to have a plan.

lostinwales wrote:

king_carlos wrote:That's a very mobile pack. Simmonds and Ludlam are quick for back rows. Isiekwe is just as home at blindside as lock and gets around the park. Itoje obviously gets about everywhere. Genge, Cowan-Dickie and Sinckler are all ball carrying front rows.

With all the absentees I'm actually very happy with that.

For a long while I've thought Daly's best position is 13. He's got such a rounded skill set and so much pace that if he gets it right he could be absolutely brilliant there. We'll see at the weekend I guess!

Isiekwe starting over Ewels especially. I simply think Isiekwe is a much better player, hopefully this means he will stay in the squads ahead of Ewels if/when some combination of Lawes, Hill and Launchbury return over the tournament.

Isiekwe has a chance now, and playing at Saracens with Itoje won't do any harm

One who had really dropped off the radar but happy to see he might live up to his early career billing as the new Itoje+. Its still feels a bit mad that England have managed to get through so many locks in the past 3 years (remember Kvesic?) yet still have players people are excited to see start in the bag.

Its also a big chance for Itoje to step up as a genuine senior player (somehow he's 27 now with 56 tests to his name, makes me feel old!). Could help push his case to be captain if England do manage to move on from Farrell.

The slight worry is whats going to happen at the scrum, but if its really wet they could be a farce anyway.

...and Carlos yeah a lot of people long argued he should be a 13. Just seems ironic he got the chance when England have two 13's in the starting lineup and only one winger in the 23! But this is pure Jones / Aussie backs are just backs stuff.

Id really though he had the attributes to be a great 13 and make the most of his long range kicking, but have to accept he didn't develop enough in the time given and England now have other legit options there.

I wonder what Eddies thoughts are at 8.

He brings back a player who hes pretty much ignored for years over a player whos outstanding for the champions, and is an additional lineout option etc...at a time when Lawes his key 6 and 3rd lineout guru is out.

I can see pens going both ways in the scrum. Both teams are stronger on the LH than TH which could lead to either side getting the upper hand on occasion.

Gooseberry wrote:...and Carlos yeah a lot of people long argued he should be a 13. Just seems ironic he got the chance when England have two 13's in the starting lineup and only one winger in the 23! But this is pure Jones / Aussie backs are just backs stuff.

Id really though he had the attributes to be a great 13 and make the most of his long range kicking, but have to accept he didn't develop enough in the time given and England now have other legit options there.

Thats exactly it...the numbers are simply that. You'll see Slade at OC, Daly at OC, Marchant at 12, Malins at 10...and all sorts.

Great to see Curry captain. I thought he'd go with Youngs as the senior man

GeordieFalcon wrote:I wonder what Eddies thoughts are at 8.

He brings back a player who hes pretty much ignored for years over a player whos outstanding for the champions, and is an additional lineout option etc...at a time when Lawes his key 6 and 3rd lineout guru is out.

Is Dombrandt realistically anymore of a lineout option than Curry or Ludlam though?

With third choice jumpers like those you basically just use them if the opposition are man marking your primary jumpers. Situations where the caller accepts that they'll need to throw to the front unmarked but have fewer attacking options or throw to the tail unmarked but take the risk of the longer throw.

Dombrandt isn't a jumper such as prime Tom Croft, Sergio Parisse or Keiran Read or a present day Cameron Woki and Beka Gorgadze where they are so good they'll challenge primary jumpers like Gray and Cummings in the air. Dombrandt is another third choice jumper you occasionally throw up when other options aren't on.

I often feel the actual importance of lineout jumpers like that is really misunderstood. The majority of flankers in the modern game can do that when required. Back rows that don't jump in the lineout at all are pretty rare these days.

To be fair Curry and Ludlum are good jumpers...

Probably the most exciting/ dynamic team England have put out in years, really looking forward to seeing how they go. Just hope they don't get bogged down (figuratively and literally!) on Saturday. Saying that, pretty much everyone from Slade outwards is decent under the high ball so, even allowing for the weather, you would hope that there won't be too many dropped balls/ scrums.

I appreciate Eddie Jones giving us something to keep us interested today.  Although my preference was to see Dombrandt get a run of games, I am still looking forward to see Simmonds do some damage as well.  Both guys are try-scorers and very good players.  
One of the (very) few things which worked well at Saints last season was the pairing of Isiekwe and Ludlum in the back row.  On defense they go hunting well together. Not quite the same here but I think they will be very effective.

i wonder if we'll see Simmonds in the backline now and again offering a dynamic crashball option?

Scotland team to face England in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations at BT Murrayfield, live on BBC One, Saturday, 5 February – kick-off 4.45pm.
15. Stuart Hogg - Exeter Chiefs - (Captain) - 88 caps
14. Darcy Graham - Edinburgh Rugby - 22 caps
13. Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby - 31 caps
12. Sam Johnson - Glasgow Warriors - 21 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe - Worcester Warriors - 13 caps

10. Finn Russell – Racing 92 - (Vice-Captain) - 58 caps
9. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors - 46 caps

1. Rory Sutherland - Worcester Warriors - 16 caps
2. George Turner - Glasgow Warriors - 20 caps
3. Zander Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors - 42 caps
4. Jonny Gray – Exeter Chiefs – 64 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist - Edinburgh Rugby - 48 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie - Edinburgh Rugby - (Vice-Captain) – 31 caps
7. Hamish Watson - Edinburgh Rugby - 45 caps
8. Matt Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors - 17 caps

Replacements

16. Stuart McInally - Edinburgh Rugby - 43 caps
17. Pierre Schoeman - Edinburgh Rugby - 4 caps
18. WP Nel - Edinburgh Rugby - 43 caps
19. Sam Skinner - Exeter Chiefs - 15 caps
20. Magnus Bradbury - Edinburgh Rugby - 14 caps
21. Ben White - London Irish - Uncapped
22 Blair Kinghorn - Edinburgh Rugby - 28 caps
23 Sione Tuipulotu - Glasgow Warriors - 1 cap

I am really pleased to see Isiekwe selected over Ewels. He's such a good player by comparison and as others have stated is equally adept at 5 or 6. There's playmakers who are good in the air all over the park and some serious attacking intent. A decent selection of Curry as Captain, too.

I have a hunch that this team may surprise.

Does anyone know who the ref is?

Funnily enough, Jones had intended to play Daly at 13 in the final Six Nations match against Ireland last year. In the end, Malins got injured, and Daly started at full back.

When Farrell went off, and Ford moved to 10, Daly took over kicking duties for some reason. Perhaps one reason Jones wanted Daly starting was to have some goalkicking ability alongside Smith, in case he gets the wobbles. Having said that, it seems a long time since a leading international kicker was switched during a Test, and still kept on the pitch.

Simmons over Dombrandt is an intriguing choice, because it looked like Jones was leaning towards the Quins man. It'll be interesting to see whether England have any plays to make specific use of his skill set or if he's asked to perform a different way.

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2022/01/17/refereeing-appointments-announced-for-2022-guinness-six-nations/

Here you go Mr Bounce. O'Keeffe.

I'm more worried about facing this England team than I would've been by the team I suspect Eddie would've picked without the injuries. That's a very strong lineup and with Smith properly handed the keys and without his babysitter outside him we could be facing some fireworks. Thankfully, we can rely on our handy Scottish weather to put them out and turn it into a mud wrestle!

No Cummings for Scotland, is he injured?

Close to the team I was expecting, would've loved Redpath in there but probably too big a gamble with limited gametime behind him. This is an absolutely massive game for Bradbury, if he gets a decent amount of time on the pitch he has a massive opportunity to finally claim that 8 shirt. Bring his recent club form to internationals and he'll finally be delivering what he always should have been

No 7&1/2 wrote:https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2022/01/17/refereeing-appointments-announced-for-2022-guinness-six-nations/

Here you go Mr Bounce. O'Keeffe.

Cheers 7 1/2. SO glad that Gauzere has retired....

demosthenes wrote:Scotland team to face England in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations at BT Murrayfield, live on BBC One, Saturday, 5 February – kick-off 4.45pm.
15. Stuart Hogg - Exeter Chiefs - (Captain) - 88 caps
14. Darcy Graham - Edinburgh Rugby - 22 caps
13. Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby - 31 caps
12. Sam Johnson - Glasgow Warriors - 21 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe - Worcester Warriors - 13 caps

10. Finn Russell – Racing 92 - (Vice-Captain) - 58 caps
9. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors - 46 caps

1. Rory Sutherland - Worcester Warriors - 16 caps
2. George Turner - Glasgow Warriors - 20 caps
3. Zander Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors - 42 caps
4. Jonny Gray – Exeter Chiefs – 64 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist - Edinburgh Rugby - 48 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie - Edinburgh Rugby - (Vice-Captain) – 31 caps
7. Hamish Watson - Edinburgh Rugby - 45 caps
8. Matt Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors - 17 caps

Replacements

16. Stuart McInally - Edinburgh Rugby - 43 caps
17. Pierre Schoeman - Edinburgh Rugby - 4 caps
18. WP Nel - Edinburgh Rugby - 43 caps
19. Sam Skinner - Exeter Chiefs - 15 caps
20. Magnus Bradbury - Edinburgh Rugby - 14 caps
21. Ben White - London Irish - Uncapped
22 Blair Kinghorn - Edinburgh Rugby - 28 caps
23 Sione Tuipulotu - Glasgow Warriors - 1 cap

Decent team, although can't shake the feeling Toonie is playing it very safe and not rewarding club form.

Going through the most surprising calls, Gilchrist over Cummings must be a horses for courses selection, taking into account the weather. Fagerson over Bradbury is rewarding previous form at international level, but Matt isn't playing at 8 for Glasgow and has yet to dominate an international game, I would have gone for Bradbury every day of the week on current form. The backs are as expected, with the possible exception of Redpath missing out. Our centres are very workmanlike, there isn't a great deal of attacking threat through the middle. I've said it before but Finn always seems to play better with a strike runner outside him who he can bring into the game really close to the line (Dunbar, Bennett, Jones, Vakatwa), i'm not convinced the centre pairing really plays into his strengths.

Rugby Fan wrote:Funnily enough, Jones had intended to play Daly at 13 in the final Six Nations match against Ireland last year. In the end, Malins got injured, and Daly started at full back.

When Farrell went off, and Ford moved to 10, Daly took over kicking duties for some reason. Perhaps one reason Jones wanted Daly starting was to have some goalkicking ability alongside Smith, in case he gets the wobbles. Having said that, it seems a long time since a leading international kicker was switched during a Test, and still kept on the pitch.

Simmons over Dombrandt is an intriguing choice, because it looked like Jones was leaning towards the Quins man. It'll be interesting to see whether England have any plays to make specific use of his skill set or if he's asked to perform a different way.

Dalys taken a few long range kicks when Farrell was on the pitch, so it wouldnt be a slight to Smith if he did again. Hes even kicked a pen for the Lions. Id be very surprised if he was picked specifically for that though, especially with Ford on the bench (not to mention other cover goal kickers in the starting VX)

I'd guess having some additional experience in the side played a part.

Simmonds very much seems to be a focus on a mobile pack, aiming to be at the breakdown first, and trying to keep the game moving. Jones has long talked about wanting to play a higher tempo game than other teams can handle. May seem a bit crazy in such conditions to not have the up the jumper brawlers on the pitch but does suggest hes perhaps more focused on where England want to be in 18 months time than maxing for this specific game.

No Cummings for Scotland is a big loss. Very good player indeed and with England missing so many locks that could be a crucial.

I really want to rate Darcy Graham because he's so much fun to watch but his defence at international level has never really stood up IMO. As an England fan I'm happy with the Marchant vs Graham matchup. Marchant is very good contesting high balls and solid defensively.

This should be a really good game.

Well, Toonie doing a Toonie and doing 95% as predicted with the standard hell Mary to make you think.

I'm not saying Ben White doesn't deserve his bench spot, but who saw that coming?

GG over Cummings isn't that mind-boggling but I didn't see Cummings not getting ahead of Skinner.

Very much looking forward to Tuipulotu coming on and running at Slade and Daly though

Rugby Fan wrote:Funnily enough, Jones had intended to play Daly at 13 in the final Six Nations match against Ireland last year. In the end, Malins got injured, and Daly started at full back.

When Farrell went off, and Ford moved to 10, Daly took over kicking duties for some reason.

Didnt both Ford and Farrell go off in the Ireland game last year? We ended up with Robson at 10 I think. Maybe thats why Daly took the kicks.

Agreed tigertattie, Shona put in a huge performance last week against the Craggy Islanders and could make a name for himself on Saturday. As I said it's a very big front five for Scotland, and no shortage of beef on the bench.
My big worry is when we have White- Blarehorn coming on as half backs and trying to control the game.
Given the weather...12-6 to someone.

Well, for both sides we probably knew 12 of the starters.

Annoyed England went Isiekwe over Ewels. I do not rate the latter. Simmonds over Dombrandt is picking a small back-row. I think that helps us a bit on a wet day that England don't have a big boy to try and bully M Fagerson. Dombrandt vs Bradbury on current form will be a great match-up for the last 20-30 minutes.

Daly is a strange choice. This contest looks set to be a kickfest so useful for that, but going forward England are relying heavily on Steward and the pack to generate go forward. We have historically had an issue with big IC's getting momentum and it feels like England have taken a safe option.

For us, Cummings has not been on top form whilst the other three locks have. If Gray and Gilchrist have figured out how to complement each other, it is our biggest pairing. Skinner offers flexibility covering BS. Would have preferred Cummings over Gilchrist due to the fit issue but I am not the coach. Backrow is the players who work well together though I hope the message to Bradbury is deliver me a 20-30 minutes that shows why you should be starting.

Graham on the wing does not work for this sort of contest. Steyn or Maitland would have been better as England may look to Steward with his ft of height advantage to win the up and unders. On a wet day, his shiftiness tends not to be as effective. Happy with S Johnson starting, he is the strongest defender and at least offers a bit in the carry. DVDM and him should get us on the front foot against Smith and Slade.

Finally, Kinghorn on a 5:3 bench seems a waste. Hastings is the better player and also covers 15. Think both sides missed a trick not going for a 6:2 bench in wet conditions.

I'm surprised Redpath isn't involved tbh. Looked to have hit the ground running.