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

[Vieux Talonneur]

Hobby horse time. This is our make or break match so why announce so early? It's just nonsensical.

Other than that, Chessum had to play, the question was just which shirt. The rest is all perfectly logical although not a massive fan of 6:2 or Smith at FB, although SB's nailed his colours to that mast so has to have the courage of his convictions. Suspect the Scots will properly target Smith.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

It might involve balls taken in the lineout vs a win on overthrow? Not sure at all, but either way pure lineout takes are a poor stat, it should be an efficiency rate per throw eg 82%

Assume it's along the lines of a take being a clean catch and a win would include stuff like a tap back gathered by the SH. Any ball nicked from opposition (none by Eng!) would also influence the numbers.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Still not happy with Smith at 15. The French didn't really pressure him but you can be sure the Scots will be more than happy to put their significantly bigger and stronger wingers up against him.

 

[IT157]

I'm happy with the team and squad. Happy with Marcus Smith at fullback as well. He made a lot of metres last game against France which really helped nullify Frances kicking game. We shall see what Scotland do and if they make him compete for the ball more in the air.

 

[Jimbo]

Smith wouldn't be my first choice 15 if I could pick from outside of the group, based on what we have I'm not sure we lose a huge amount over Steward defensively (there are the aerial bombs, one on ones though I'd favour Smith to at-least make contact and slow things), we certainly gain a lot more going forward, only time will tell.

 

[Saintjay]

One day you go to bed and you're England's first choice ten.

The next day you're a fullback and people want you to play 9.

The following day you realise you've morphed into Elliot Daly and are a utility back.

The circle of life.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

One day you go to bed and you're England's first choice ten.

The next day you're a fullback and people want you to play 9.

The following day you realise you've morphed into Elliot Daly and are a utility back.

The circle of life.

Alternatively you're one of the most consistent players, world class lock, England Captain, and it's somehow time for you to **** off

 

[IT157]

Alternatively you're one of the most consistent players, world class lock, England Captain, and it's somehow time for you to **** off

Yeah the calls to drop Itoje are weird. He's been great so far this 6 nations.

 

[LIONSxv]

Yeah the calls to drop Itoje are weird. He's been great so far this 6 nations.

He almost always is and has been since he made his debut...it's such a weird take people have

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Guardian saying that M Smith will retain place kicking duties despite being at 57% from the 2 games so far.

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

Hobby horse time. This is our make or break match so why announce so early? It's just nonsensical.

Other than that, Chessum had to play, the question was just which shirt. The rest is all perfectly logical although not a massive fan of 6:2 or Smith at FB, although SB's nailed his colours to that mast so has to have the courage of his convictions. Suspect the Scots will properly target Smith.

Because it was leaked to the media this morning, so you may as well confirm and be done. There'll be players rostered for media duties the next few days, do you put them denying what everyone knows to be true?

As an aside, leaks are rarely the hallmark of a happy squad & management team. It suggests that not all is as well as it could be….

 

[Flankers' paradise]

I find it hard to believe the players can be over the moon when their boss sounds like his dog just died when he says he's proud of them.

Not surprised that Marcus keeps the kicking duties, everyone has an off day...it's when those off days start becoming consistent that his role as kicker needs to be re-evaluated

 

[Grizwald]

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.

 

[TopTen2003]

Massive game this to be fair.

England should win at their best against a Scotland team missing their best centre.

England pack have to really stand up and back up the second half v France. You don't want to be giving Scotland too many opportunities to fizz it wide so England will need to win the physical battle to control this one.

Lose at home here and I think the serious threat of exit for SB would be there.

Should be a great game and contest.

 

[Geordie]

At the moment I don't think Martin is doing what we're looking for. Plus he's apparently been struggling with an injury so might not be fully fit.

Chessum might not have quite the grunt in the scrum as Martin but will offer a huge athleticism around the park. I liked the back row v France and glad to see that go again.

If we get the planning right and have a plan for Van Der Merve, I think we could get a comfortable win here.

The defence we as a bit iffy in the first half so I really want to see them be more solid again.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

I find it hard to believe the players can be over the moon when their boss sounds like his dog just died when he says he's proud of them.

Not surprised that Marcus keeps the kicking duties, everyone has an off day...it's when those off days start becoming consistent that his role as kicker needs to be re-evaluated

We had this in 2014 with Ford missing three kicks and then endured mediocre kicking for at least 7 years from the priceman

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Haha that autocorrect

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Not surprised that Marcus keeps the kicking duties, everyone has an off day...it's when those off days start becoming consistent that his role as kicker needs to be re-evaluated

They do. But he had his woes in NZ in the summer which looked to have been sorted in the Autumn and was 3 from 4 v Ire.

But only 1 from 3 v Fra - and that was the conversion of Lawrence's try from under 10m dead in front. The 2 misses were carbon copies just within the 15m line, just outside the 22, not total gimmes, but the kind of kick you'd really expect to be nailed 90% of the time at this level. I suspect we'd have heard a lot more about them if we'd have been on the wrong side of a one point game.

Good show of faith for him to retain the duties. I know he's been excellent off the tee for Quins, but that may just have rekindled some inner doubt and team mates need to have confidence that their kicker is going to take the good opportunities they create.

 

[IT157]

Haha that autocorrect

He probably has made a lot of money over his career compared to a lot of other rugby players lol

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Guardian saying that M Smith will retain place kicking duties despite being at 57% from the 2 games so far.

I feel like that backfires M Smith England career might end pretty soon.