[2022 Six Nations] Scotland vs England (05/02/22)

[Vieux Talonneur]

Yes, generally I agree. Although to @Old Hooker's point, I wonder whether our disrupted build up is putting us in 'counter mode'?

Dombrandt's not 'pigeon holed as a ball player'. That's what he is. If anything, the mistake is to regard him as a heavy carrier purely because he's a big bloke. He can do that job, but I wouldn't say he's notably good at it. Where he might do well in bad conditions is control at the base of the scrum and good decision-making. His game sense is excellent.

Yep. You feel he's got to start throwing his weight around a bit more if he wants to own the shirt.

Can't grizzle too much at the selection from the players available. Delighted on the Isiekwe front. While both our wingers are very good players who've spent reasonable time on the wing it feels a bit odd that neither is an out and out specialist winger.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Just seen that LCD, Genge and Slade are the vice captains

Little surprised at LCD and Slade but I'm guessing it's because they're (almost) guaranteed starters
Interesting that Itoje isn't in the captaincy group

 

[retired9]

Honestly surprised at no Redpath in the 23

Flip a coin I think, hes returning from injury I believe so might get a bench spot next week depending how this lot go. Tuipulotu is exciting I believe...

 

[Goodey]

Honestly the only players I would switch are Hogg, Gray for Isiekwe and possibly VDM or Russell.

I would pick Hamish Watson at 7 and Curry at 6 for a combined side rn if I could, other than that yeah. I would consider Harris in the centres on club form too.

So Scotland get about 4-6 players in a combined side which feels mean but it's about 4-6 more than they would have got five years ago

The bench is mostly England too which to be expected given both nations' depth

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Whelm has just gone up a smidge.

 

[LIONSxv]

I would pick Hamish Watson at 7 and Curry at 6 for a combined side rn if I could, other than that yeah. I would consider Harris in the centres on club form too.

So Scotland get about 4-6 players in a combined side which feels mean but it's about 4-6 more than they would have got five years ago

The bench is mostly England too which to be expected given both nations' depth

You would say on balance that even after all of Englands injuries that we still have a bit more talent overall looking at starting XVs. Although it is much closer than it has been since the early 90s.
England's bench although diminished is still impressive

 

[Scotty]

You would say on balance that even after all of Englands injuries that we still have a bit more talent overall looking at starting XVs. Although it is much closer than it has been since the early 90s.
England's bench although diminished is still impressive

Tbh the bench is pretty damn good considering. Marler George Stuart to come on, if them 3 started i dont think we'd be screaming for EJs head.

Ewels...naa

Dombrandt we wanted to start anyway.

Randall adds tempo if nothing else

Ford and Nowell fully feldged internationals.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Personally I would swap Watson with Curry for this game.
I would also swap Ritchie for Ludlam

Watson and Ritchie as a combo IMO is prob top 3 flanker pairing in International rugby

 

[LIONSxv]

Personally I would swap Watson with Curry for this game.
I would also swap Ritchie for Ludlam

Watson and Ritchie as a combo IMO is prob top 3 flanker pairing in International rugby

I agree with you Ritchie, should of been on the lions tour. Curry all day for re Watson and I'm a massive Watson fan.
Not much Curry can't do, whilst Watson is great over the ball and is a powerful carrier

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Watson vs Curry is very much who performs on the day, although I'd say Watson seems able to make more metres in his carries. Ritchie is a royal pain in the arse and I'd have him over Ludlam from what I've seen.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Ritchie is very much one of those players you don't want to play against. I hate him, so he's clearly doing the right thing.

 

[HamJan]

Personally I would swap Watson with Curry for this game.
I would also swap Ritchie for Ludlam

Watson and Ritchie as a combo IMO is prob top 3 flanker pairing in International rugby

Ritchie is hugely underrated.

 

[BPM]

Ritchie is very much one of those players you don't want to play against. I hate him, so he's clearly doing the right thing.

Took the words right out of my mouth

 

[Goodey]

I'm imagining him sticking his head into a bee's nest, between the bars under bannister, etc

 

[retired9]

View attachment 13144

I'm imagining him sticking his head into a bee's nest, between the bars under bannister, etc

Or god forbid, into Nicola's Sturgeon :O

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

View attachment 13144

I'm imagining him sticking his head into a bee's nest, between the bars under bannister, etc

Couldn't fit it into Josh Van Der Flier's scrum cap though.

This is an insult directed at Curry, it's about the best I can do because he's very good and seems sound.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Couldn't fit it into Josh Van Der Flier's scrum cap though.

This is an insult directed at Curry, it's about the best I can do because he's very good and seems sound.

Are you saying that JVDF has a big head or a small head?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Are you saying that JVDF has a big head or a small head?

A great head

 

[spartan32]

I think for the first time that I can remember both England and Scotland seem pretty even across the board. Both packs are well matched like for like, both 10s are exciting and unpredictable and like a little cross field kick, 15s are matched, Scotland with experience, pace and guile, England with Height, Power, and Positioning (youth can also be an advantage). It really feels like the game will come down to the head to heads and who shows up on the day. For me, Finn Russell could well be the decider. He's experienced, at home, and when on form deadly. I really rate Smith, but he's never experienced anything like a packed Murryfield in the *******, driving rain. Frankly I hope it at least stays dry so we get to see what England fledgling back line can do, but either way this is going to electric stuff. Can't wait.

 

[Grizwald]

Scotland rightly favourites for this one. I still don't reckon they've the consistency to go on and win it still should they win tomorrow. Expect a couple of scalps along the way though.

Don't get all the comparisons between Russell and Smith. Smith seems to be very level headed and can play a number of ways, I don't recall seeing many if any passes to nothing which can cost you a game which Finn has had in his game.