[2025 Six Nations] England vs Scotland - 22/02/25

[munstermuffin]

Interesting you say that, so far the stats for this tournament show Scotland top in carries, meters, passes and offloads and England leading the kicks in play and Scotland the least.

To be fair that can be misleading. Scotland have played Italy where England have Ireland and France over with. Very hard compare this early as tactics vary

 

[Saintjay]

I think we should just try to put out an entire team called Smith and be done with it. No first names, let them work it out.

View attachment 22881

Can't help but feel you'd just get from
Borthwick a version of -

"Don't tell 'em your name Pike".

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Can't help but feel you'd just get from
Borthwick a version of -

"Don't tell 'em your name Pike".

Don't tell 'em (on Tuesday) you're in the row Ollie.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I think we should just try to put out an entire team called Smith and be done with it. No first names, let them work it out.

View attachment 22881

Closest I can think of was the Vyvyan brothers who used to play as a sevens team.

 

[Which Tyler]

Closest I can think of was the Vyvyan brothers who used to play as a sevens team.

Here's an entire pack

Dad and 7 sons in Ireland forward pack | Rugbydump

There are plenty of players that take to the field alongside their siblings, not often eight members of the same family though

www.rugbydump.com

 

[NotTooAmused]

Closest I can think of was the Vyvyan brothers who used to play as a sevens team.

me, my brother and my dad played against another father + 2 sons a few years ago. Team sheets looked very silly.

 

[Jashay]

I remember a Wales game that had at least 6 Jones on the field. I say remember, but the game was pretty dull so we decided to drink every time the commentator said Jones...

I feel like it was against Scotland, but that's based on a vague notion that one team was blue.

 

[AlRums]

I remember a Wales game that had at least 6 Jones on the field. I say remember, but the game was pretty dull so we decided to drink every time the commentator said Jones...

I feel like it was against Scotland, but that's based on a vague notion that one team was blue.

Maybe you were watching Zulu?

 

[AlRums]

Six Nations 2025: Why have Townsend's Scotland had hex on England?

Scotland have won four games in a row against England after years of misery. But what is the secret to that success?

www.bbc.co.uk

Includes that glorious hat trick by vdm.

Townsend as manager has only lost one Calcutta cup and the last time England won Russell wasn't playing.

 

[NotTooAmused]

Townsend as manager has only lost one Calcutta cup and the last time England won Russell wasn't playing.

Aye, because he knows that's the game that'll keep him his job for another year

 

[higgik]

England fans can be be confident. I'm not going to the game, having been to the last 3 defeats and the 38-38 draw.....

Happy with the team. I think Martin has been decent this 6N after a fairly poor autumn. Will be interesting to see how the scrum goes once his heft is removed as its been surprisingly solid this 6N. I think your gaining more than you're loosing having Chessum in to start. Stocks of locks seem to be a bit bare at the moment. Maybe you can start all 3 with Chessum at 6 if there's a more credible bench option than a just returning from injury Coles.

Of who's in the squad Smith at FB is OK. They've decided they want a play maker at 15, I do think its time that England start to play their own game without worrying about and adapting to what the opposition will do. Still don't understand why Carpenter hasn't been looked at. Feel a little bit for M Smith he's carried the team at times, but reckon F Smith's game is more suited to the international game.

England have to win this one to start to be able to say a corner has been turned. Scotland won't struggle to get up for it.

When fit Furbank will be 15, and Smith M in the 23 shirt.

 

[higgik]

He'll be fine. Ideal scenario we have two or three international class 10's spurring each other on for the starting XV spot.

23 shirt for Marcus, with the ability to sub in at 15 for injuries, and come on at 10 if tactical changes needed.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

23 shirt for Marcus, with the ability to sub in at 15 for injuries, and come on at 10 if tactical changes needed.

His speed and running lines could be great to break things up later game. One thing Jones did well initially that I miss is the idea that the subs aren't simply the next cabs off the rank skill wise, but were integral to the 80 minute game plan and had a definite role to play.

 

[Half Pint]

I think we should just try to put out an entire team called Smith and be done with it. No first names, let them work it out.

But obviously throw a curveball by listing some of the Smiths out of position on the teamsheet to keep 'em guessing.
Ah, so Smith is playing flanker, and the centre pairing is Smith & Smith.. Cunning.

 

[AlRums]

Aye, because he knows that's the game that'll keep him his job for another year

Your username matches this comment exactly

 

[Half Pint]

Aye, because he knows that's the game that'll keep him his job for another year

I'd go further and predict that, whatever the result :
(1) the losing head coach will be gone before the end of the year, and
(2) the winning head coach will be staying.

So it's make or break for both Townsend & Borthwick

 

[General Melchett]

I'm starting to wonder if England's 23 for next year's Calcutta cup will be leaked before Scotland's 23 is announced for this Saturday.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'm starting to wonder if England's 23 for next year's Calcutta cup will be leaked before Scotland's 23 is announced for this Saturday.

Harsh putting Finn on comms duty this week of all weeks.

 

[General Melchett]

I'd go further and predict that, whatever the result :
(1) the losing head coach will be gone before the end of the year, and
(2) the winning head coach will be staying.

So it's make or break for both Townsend & Borthwick

England are winning this comfortably. I just can't see the current Scotland pack coming out on top especially with such a mediocre bench.

Both Townsend and Franco Smith's contracts are up next year. I think Franco has done enough with Glasgow to merit a crack with Scotland.

For me Townsend is a builder and a very good club head coach. I'd love to see him go to Edinburgh with a view to a overseeing a big rebuild because they are a mess at the moment. I doubt he'd agree to it and could see him heading to a club in England or France. The Wallabies job is also a possibility.

 

[Flankers' paradise]

23 shirt for Marcus, with the ability to sub in at 15 for injuries, and come on at 10 if tactical changes needed.

New Zealand have managed pretty well over the last 2/3 years with Mo'unga/Barret/McKenzie/Perofeta playing 10 & 15 even with all playing 10 for their team. No reason it can't work for smith and smith