[2016 RBS Six Nations] Round 1: Scotland vs. England (06/02/2016)

[Vieux Talonneur]

Almost by virtue of their physiques the very best locks have been totemic figure for their sides - Johnson, P O'C, AWJ etc. We have no-one remotely approaching that sort of stature.

I thought Lawes had the potential to reach that level, but sadly he's regressed. Launch is an excellent player and undisputed first choice, but I don't think he's destined for the real stratosphere unless he can add some leadership qualities; maybe those will come with another 30 caps. The rest are all very good players, but much of a muchness. Itoje has something, but still looks more like a 6 to me.

 

[Saint4805]

Although he did call another poster a tosser for a jokey post. His argument was void from that point.

Back to the game; the squad looks ok. I really hope Itoje is in the 23, shame about bloody Devoto.

It didn't read like a jokey post to me but rather an arrogant and mischievous fabrication of events. I do apologise for referring to the gentleman as a tosser and will put myself in the forum sin bin for ten minutes.

Let's hope we see a great game of rugby.

 

[Crapspray]

According to the Torygraph, Gruaniad, and Daily Wail, Care and Marler to start; Youngs and Mako benched. To be confirmed by Jones on Thursday.

So an England team of:

1. Marler
2. Hartley (c)
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Kruis
6. Robshaw
7. Haskell
8. B. Vunipola

9. Care
10. Ford
11. Nowell
12. Farrell
13. Joseph
14. Watson
15. Brown

16. George
17. M. Vunipola
18. Hill
19. Lawes*
20. Clifford
21. Youngs
22. Devoto
23. Goode

*Pending fitness test on Thursday for a hamstring injury

Daly and Itoje as travelling reserves.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Harsh on Mako who has been significantly better than Marler.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Youngs benched WTF.

Hoping it is more rotation.

 

[yaboyjj]

According to the Torygraph, Gruaniad, and Daily Wail, Care and Marler to start; Youngs and Mako benched. To be confirmed by Jones on Thursday.

So an England team of:

1. Marler
2. Hartley (c)
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Kruis
6. Robshaw
7. Haskell
8. B. Vunipola

9. Care
10. Ford
11. Nowell
12. Farrell
13. Joseph
14. Watson
15. Brown

16. George
17. M. Vunipola
18. Hill
19. Lawes*
20. Clifford
21. Youngs
22. Devoto
23. Goode

*Pending fitness test on Thursday for a hamstring injury

Daly and Itoje as travelling reserves.

Compared to what it could have been, I'm left a little underwhelmed.
Slow backrow, blindside at 7, Faz at 12... things we vowed never to see again.
Neither props look like they can scrum properly atm, Goode on the bench, Care throwing intercept passes and mismanaging the game... it could all go wrong very quickly.

 

[Mr Ruggleby]

It didn't read like a jokey post to me but rather an arrogant and mischievous fabrication of events. I do apologise for referring to the gentleman as a tosser and will put myself in the forum sin bin for ten minutes.

Let's hope we see a great game of rugby.

Arrogance from an English man, pfft don't be ridiculous. Apology accepted, I just hope it's as easy for our lads to get your lad's kilts in a twist on Saturday. Should be a cracking game.

Sincerely,
Tosser

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Christ lads, that's hardly a team that's going to strike fear into anyone. Unless Jones has some very clever tactics to employ it looks no stronger than a Lancaster side, which as an Irish fan usually scared me because the bald prick always beat us. 2 potential new caps? After the World Cup you lot had is worrying.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Christ lads, that's hardly a team that's going to strike fear into anyone. Unless Jones has some very clever tactics to employ it looks no stronger than a Lancaster side, which as an Irish fan usually scared me because the bald prick always beat us. 2 potential new caps? After the World Cup you lot had is worrying.

Ennit.


I obviously want us to win but I want Haskell Hartley and Goode to have shockers so we can bin them off

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Ennit.


I obviously want us to win but I want Haskell Hartley and Goode to have shockers so we can bin them off

This is my feeling.

 

[TommiG88]

What a let down, I expected/hoped bigger changes.

Won't stop me supporting the boys though.

 

[McTallshort]

Christ lads, that's hardly a team that's going to strike fear into anyone. Unless Jones has some very clever tactics to employ it looks no stronger than a Lancaster side, which as an Irish fan usually scared me because the bald prick always beat us. 2 potential new caps? After the World Cup you lot had is worrying.

Dont think anyone in this part of the world had a good WC but you have a point. The problem we have in any sport is if a team fails badly like the Rugby Union team did in the WC there is always 2 standard responses everyone (the press mainly) seem to shout for: 1st is Get rid of the current coach and replace him with someone completley different, not better just very different. 2nd is get rid of as many of the current team as possible and replace them with up and coming but largely untested players (play a bunch of kids! at least they will care!).

We have done the 1st reponse, Im kind of glad we have not gone all out for the 2nd

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

But Jones is better than Lancaster (well on paper).

 

[McTallshort]

So was Sven and Fabio.....

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

This is basically the team that nearly won us the 6 nations a few times. We all thought with s better coach/ game plan we could have won it so I'm happy with that team.

It means we can bring in the new caps into a winning environment and phase out the useless guys. Right move in my eyes

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I don't mind the team and Jones not making too many changes. What I don't understand is how he was adamant about playing no more 6.5's and has gone and done just that. Will be happy to see Robshaw get a run out at 6 rather than 7 though but really the likes of Kvesic or Fraser should have been in the team at 7, that was a change that needed to be made. All I can hope now is that Jones has absolutely been hammering them with breakdown work.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Worth pointing out that Jones wants continuity inasmuch as this possible. He needs to make sure we have an OK Six Nations, and he doesn't want to act too hastily in binning guys.

Which means I think that in tight calls he is likely to side with the incumbent.
Perhaps theres some sense in this - he doesn't want to go flip flopping between two players.

Therefore Joseph, who hasn't done much wrong for England, is chosen over Daly even though the later is the one in form. Just an example... This doesn't mean Daly won't come to be preferred in the not too distant future, but right now Joseph is seen as the stable choice.

Probably not a bad idea.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So was Sven and Fabio.....

Well Jones's first language is English so that should help.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Well Jones's first language is English so that should help.

Don't you ever say that what the Aussies are speaking is English!!

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Well Jones's first language is English so that should help.

Bruce, Sheila, Pom, Pommie, Prawn, Barbie, Mate and Beer make up 50% of Aussiespeak. Throw those out at random and you can have an almost fluent conversation with an Aussie.