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

[Ragey Erasmus]

*Best Tigs post ever*
Being Mel Gibson I'm surprised you didn't pitch in something anti-semitic...

Or wife related.

 

[CaledonCol]

Good selection by VC . Pack looks a useful unit and there is skill and pace . Bring on the Sassenachs !

 

[spartan32]

So time is almost up. The team has been selected and now I guess all we can do is wait and see whether the limited time Jones has had with his boys will make any difference.

I know the scots are a plucky bunch but all the pressure is on them. All England really have to do is produce a decent set piece and then our backs will do the rest, nearly all of whom would be above the scots back line in a NH pecking order. I feel for the scots in this regard as, apart from Hogg, they don't really have anyone who has a bit of magic about them, just solid lads who are a bit slow compared to others in the international scene, which makes clean break in a little hard when the other team can just chase you down.

I know they managed to drag the Aussies to the wire with a great deal of spirit but games like that are once in a blue moon.

I look forward to a good game and I hope it stays dry so we can see some champagne rugby on display.

 

[CaledonCol]

So time is almost up. The team has been selected and now I guess all we can do is wait and see whether the limited time Jones has had with his boys will make any difference.

I know the scots are a plucky bunch but all the pressure is on them. All England really have to do is produce a decent set piece and then our backs will do the rest, nearly all of whom would be above the scots back line in a NH pecking order. I feel for the scots in this regard as, apart from Hogg, they don't really have anyone who has a bit of magic about them, just solid lads who are a bit slow compared to others in the international scene, which makes clean break in a little hard when the other team can just chase you down.

I know they managed to drag the Aussies to the wire with a great deal of spirit but games like that are once in a blue moon.

I look forward to a good game and I hope it stays dry so we can see some champagne rugby on display.

Repeat after me Bennett - B -E-N-N-E-T-T three times and then say " Scott in name and in deed ! " How are the mighty fallen .

 

[Saint4805]

I know the scots are a plucky bunch but all the pressure is on them. All England really have to do is produce a decent set piece and then our backs will do the rest, nearly all of whom would be above the scots back line in a NH pecking order.

LOL. You sound like an opposition coach making a pathetic attempt to play mind games. We're not world beaters and we don't claim to be. Not sure why you feel the need to claim your backs are stronger than ours. Doubt I'd hear too many Welsh or Irish feeling the need to make such claims - they understand that talking will be done on the pitch. I don't mind overconfidence or a bit of arrogance if it can be backed up but after your showing at the WC we should be seeing English humility rather than arrogance.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Repeat after me Bennett - B -E-N-N-E-T-T three times and then say " Scott in name and in deed ! " How are the mighty fallen .

Yep, good player. England are pretty well-stocked for 13s, even so I would not say no to having him in the squad.

Also "All England really have to do is produce a decent set piece" is not exactly a foregone conclusion. Did you watch the World Cup at all, sparta32?!

 

[Every Time Ref]

our backs will do the rest, nearly all of whom would be above the scots back line in a NH pecking order

Not sure its' that simple, but an interesting thought experiment - man for man, who is better in each backline position?

9. Greig Laidlaw Vs Danny Care

I'd have to say Laidlaw, limited but solid and dependable. Care, while having his moments of brilliance, lacks control

10. Finn Russell Vs George Ford

Tricky. Ford has been on pretty horrible form for Bath, but a beaten pack always makes a ten look bad, so on the assumption England's pack won't get battered like Bath's has been I'll go for him, just.

11. Tommy Seymour Vs Jack Nowell

Nowell for me, much more rounded winger

12. Matt Scott Vs Owen Farrell

Definitely Scott, Farrell isn't a centre

13. Mark Bennett Vs Jonathon Joseph

On last year's 6N performances I'd say JJ, he also has a higher ceiling. On form, JJ hasn't been the same since his injury during the World Cup (although he's been quiet rather than terrible). Not sure about Bennett's form, I'll call it a draw.

14. Sean Maitland Vs Anthony Watson

Watson. Call it bias, and yeah Maitland is good, but Watson's running in traffic is so dangerous.

15. Stuart Hogg Vs Mike Brown

Another tricky one. I'm going to cop out and say they both suit their own team's style of play, so another draw.

Just my thoughts. England probably better man-for-man overall for my money, but not by a long way. More to the point, there's much more to it than man-for-man - let's see what affect Jones has had on this England unit come Saturday. Can't wait!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd say Maitland is better than Watson - Watson's got a lot of potential, and has shown some of it, but is still pretty flaky at times.

 

[TommiG88]

LOL. You sound like an opposition coach making a pathetic attempt to play mind games. We're not world beaters and we don't claim to be. Not sure why you feel the need to claim your backs are stronger than ours. Doubt I'd hear too many Welsh or Irish feeling the need to make such claims - they understand that talking will be done on the pitch. I don't mind overconfidence or a bit of arrogance if it can be backed up but after your showing at the WC we should be seeing English humility rather than arrogance.

I think you'll find they do. Just take a peak on the match thread...

 

[Every Time Ref]

I'd say Maitland is better than Watson - Watson's got a lot of potential, and has shown some of it, but is still pretty flaky at times.

Could be right, maybe it's just my inherent bias. He does have a flaky edge to him, and I guess I have to step back and acknowledge that I tended to give Bath players the nod in my analysis there!

Think Watson has a higher ceiling though.

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I think you'll find they do. Just take a peak on the match thread...

Stop faking humility for the Celts.

We're the greatest. No shame in acknowledging it.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The numbers speak for themselves

 

[YoungScud]

Not sure its' that simple, but an interesting thought experiment - man for man, who is better in each backline position?

9. Greig Laidlaw Vs Danny Care

I'd have to say Laidlaw, limited but solid and dependable. Care, while having his moments of brilliance, lacks control

10. Finn Russell Vs George Ford

Tricky. Ford has been on pretty horrible form for Bath, but a beaten pack always makes a ten look bad, so on the assumption England's pack won't get battered like Bath's has been I'll go for him, just.

11. Tommy Seymour Vs Jack Nowell

Nowell for me, much more rounded winger

12. Matt Scott Vs Owen Farrell

Definitely Scott, Farrell isn't a centre

13. Mark Bennett Vs Jonathon Joseph

On last year's 6N performances I'd say JJ, he also has a higher ceiling. On form, JJ hasn't been the same since his injury during the World Cup (although he's been quiet rather than terrible). Not sure about Bennett's form, I'll call it a draw.

14. Sean Maitland Vs Anthony Watson

Watson. Call it bias, and yeah Maitland is good, but Watson's running in traffic is so dangerous.

15. Stuart Hogg Vs Mike Brown

Another tricky one. I'm going to cop out and say they both suit their own team's style of play, so another draw.

Just my thoughts. England probably better man-for-man overall for my money, but not by a long way. More to the point, there's much more to it than man-for-man - let's see what affect Jones has had on this England unit come Saturday. Can't wait!

Not a bad summary, and one I'd largely agree with. Like you, I think Laidlaw edges Care for control, and maybe a bit of level headedness, although Care seems to have hit a bit of dangerous form recently, so not a lot bewteen them. At his cocky best, Russell is capable of blowing Ford away, although that depends on which Finn shows up. Seymour, on the other hand, is a racehorse among donkeys in my view. He's big, fast and intelligent. Passes will have to be inch perfect to avoid either him or Bennett latching on to interceptions. Frankly, what would worry me more than anything is not just that the England captain selected seems pathologically incapable of changing his attitude, but the 3 vice captains aren't exactly the calmest of influences. Far be it from me to advise BVC, but a less than scrupulous coach might be tempted to suggest some rubbing up the wrong way.

 

[Every Time Ref]

The evidence of the last fifteen years suggests if we score a try we will win ...

 

[Saint4805]

The numbers speak for themselves

LOL - who are you trying to convince? England have been the better side over the past 15 years. No-one is disputing that. Do you use these stats to rationalise arrogance? If my nation had that win record I'd be showing pride not arrogance.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If you're English then pride is arrogance.
So is implying we might win.
So is implying we won't get 100pts put on us.

Essentially if you're English and dare to talk about English rugby you're being arrogant no matter what you say.

 

[Saint4805]

The evidence of the last fifteen years suggests if we score a try we will win ...

I'm not sure we can draw a logical conclusion by going as far back as 15 years with numerous coaching regimes and players having come and gone. Hopefully we'll see an entertaining and competitive game with plenty of tries tomorrow.

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If you're English then pride is arrogance.
So is implying we might win.
So is implying we won't get 100pts put on us.

Essentially if you're English and dare to talk about English rugby you're being arrogant no matter what you say.

LOL - I know plenty of English people who would disagree with you and would not accept you defining what pride is on behalf of the whole nation.

 

[Every Time Ref]

It's also not arrogant to say that we should beat Soctland. 'Should' being the operative word - not to say that it is in any way a foregone conclusion, or that I won't nervous as hell in the runup to kick off, but let's be honest if ENgland lose, the fans will feel that the team has underperformed, and will be right to do so. Scotland can lose this game, but still hold their heads up high if they play well and run England close.

It's not arrogance. When we play the All Blacks, the roles are reversed. It's simply a case of acknowledging who the favourite is.

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I'm not sure we can draw a logical conclusion by going as far back as 15 years with numerous coaching regimes and players having come and gone. Hopefully we'll see an entertaining and competitive game with plenty of tries tomorrow.

It was tongue-in-cheek, just an observation really. Interesting to note that Scotland's only non-defeats in that time were tryless games, that's all

 

[spartan32]

LOL. You sound like an opposition coach making a pathetic attempt to play mind games. We're not world beaters and we don't claim to be. Not sure why you feel the need to claim your backs are stronger than ours. Doubt I'd hear too many Welsh or Irish feeling the need to make such claims - they understand that talking will be done on the pitch. I don't mind overconfidence or a bit of arrogance if it can be backed up but after your showing at the WC we should be seeing English humility rather than arrogance.

Our World Cup was terrible due in most part due to very poor selections (Barrit and that league none sense) and a stupid game plan. Given what England had at our disposal most would have expected at least semi finals, where as Scotland's performance, and indeed Wales, was a pleasant surprise. And let's be honest the scots won't even be getting a game against a fully fit A team. With several quality players missing through injury. Winning in rugby is never a forgon conclusion, and underdogs will always have their day, but on form, and on historical form, England should walk away winners.

Ps who's Bennett?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

LOL. You sound like an opposition coach making a pathetic attempt to play mind games. We're not world beaters and we don't claim to be. Not sure why you feel the need to claim your backs are stronger than ours. Doubt I'd hear too many Welsh or Irish feeling the need to make such claims - they understand that talking will be done on the pitch. I don't mind overconfidence or a bit of arrogance if it can be backed up but after your showing at the WC we should be seeing English humility rather than arrogance.

Oh come of it grasshopper.

Arrogance hah.

 

[CaledonCol]

Our World Cup was terrible due in most part due to very poor selections (Barrit and that league none sense) and a stupid game plan. Given what England had at our disposal most would have expected at least semi finals, where as Scotland's performance, and indeed Wales, was a pleasant surprise. And let's be honest the scots won't even be getting a game against a fully fit A team. With several quality players missing through injury. Winning in rugby is never a forgon conclusion, and underdogs will always have their day, but on form, and on historical form, England should walk away winners.

Ps who's Bennett?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3KPgF-o_Dg