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

[Rugbyfan564]

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

He could win the World Cup and he would still sound and look as miserable.

 

[IT157]

He could win the World Cup and he would still sound and look as miserable.

Surprised he doesn't post on here.

 

[IT157]

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

Doubt it. Far too talented.

 

[Saintjay]

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

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

 

[AlRums]

Intriguing from England. Scotland with Finn and Kinghorn do like to kick long with regularity but there's definitely enough presence to pressure Smith in the middle of the park with traditionally more adaptability than the French would show.
Chessum has looked dynamic off the bench twice this six nations, and Scotland's scrum isn't the dominant force of say the French so I think England have backed off that to counter the threat in the air of Gilchrist/Gray/Ritchie.
I think the duality of the Smith's splitting time behind the first and second pods of forwards actually looked effective in attack. May all come down to the quality of ball Scotland can get, which was completely nullified by Ireland and could be by England with that rapid back row

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.

 

[AlRums]

Doubt it. Far too talented.

Square peg in round hole at the moment

 

[Scotty]

View attachment 22879
Mostly as expected, but I didn't think Martin would be dropped!
As much as I'm a big fan of Martin I kinda like that Chessum is in the row - we've got enough backrow options without adding locks into the mix

Still not overly keen on Smith at 15 or Daly at 23, but it is what it is what it is what it is what it is what it is what it is what it is what it is

Half thought George might start, but he was good off the bench last week, and it's a relatively green bench so the leadership boost in the final quarter will be good

Will likely end with
CCS Earl BCurry and is as balanced as the starting line up tbh, given CCS for Willis and B for T which is.

Lineout was the main issue last week and so I could see Chessum starting over Martin but did wonder if he would start at 6 and CCS drop out but with Martin and CCS coming on together it will add some power to that pack.

How has Hayes been going? I can't stay I've noticed him at all in these last 2 games which i suppose is good for a none flashy player.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Surprised he doesn't post on here.

Rumbled!

 

[General Melchett]

Scotland have four wins on the bounce but it's been far from dominant if you look at how the games could have panned out. A couple have been very tight and could have gone either way.

Townsend seems to have got the better of EJ and SB tactically but a lot has come down to individual performances of Russell and Duhan plus that LCD brain fart. Scotland have simply capitalised on handling errors, poor tactics/kicking game because they have threats across the backline to take advantage. If England play a smart game and cut out mistakes then they should come out on top. The Scotland pack is not firing at the moment and can't seem to cope without key players like Cummings. The lineout seems to be functioning ok but the scrum was definitely creaking against Italy and J Gray/Gilchrist have looked pretty ineffective in the loose which is my main concern. Wouldn't be surprised if Ritchie comes in for this one after the breakdown pasting against Ireland.

If Darcy is out then I might be tempted to move Kinghorn to the wing with a view to targeting M Smith in the air. Kyle Rowe could play 15 with Jordan at 12 assuming Russell makes it. If Finn is out I can see Jordan at 10 with McDowell at 12 again although Rory Hutchinson would be my pick at 12 in that scenario. Training this week must have been 'interesting' with all these scenarios in play.

P.S. Leak is a positively disgusting word. Borthwick should be initiating operation winkle to winkle out the spy.

 

[spartan32]

Another early reveal of the team seems like another fumble. Heard it said previously that there were leaks and so may as well just get it out there. Why the hell are their leaks? What's going on in the setup to allow that to happen? Either they need to get their opsec sorted or someone needs a locker room chat. Either way the selections are hardly a massive surprise. There wasn't likely to be much change. Steward simply doesn't impress enough at 15 for England and with no other option Marcus becomes the obvious choice. Fun has a chance to really nail that 10 shirt now, so let's see what he does.

Still ripping England to win this one. Home advantage, strengthening team, no injuries, and some powerful subs.

Interesting that Marcus will be kicking. I think that's a smart move by SB. He is a great kicker usually and stripping him of both the 10 shirt and the kicking duties would likely really damage his confidence. This gives him a chance to make up for France. He better take it

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

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

I wasn't serious about dropping Itoje but it's true that he isnt a top quality TH lock so should be a top quality LH lock and one of those roles is the lineout. If he's doing all the good things around the park that's great but if he's not a top line out jumper than we have an issue in theory.

Notwithstanding the above I know we need more than one jumper and the hooker had to be on his darts but Itoje has always been a bit of a hybrid and that does effect the balance of the pack.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

P.S. Leak is a positively disgusting word. Borthwick should be initiating operation winkle to winkle out the spy.

What about you Smithy, seen any German spies around here?

Nein!

Thought as much. Scrum halves, just can't trust the little blighters.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I do struggle to believe there were unauthorised leaks from the camp.

But even if there were, why confirm them or why not put out a little smoke to muddy the waters?

In what other line of work would an organisation tell its competitors its plans before it absolutely had to?

In itself it's a fairly small thing but these 1%s add up. We won't know the Scots line up until Thursday by which time it's too late to prepare for any surprises. They've now got 2 extra days to figure out how to deal with our strengthened line out and may even change selection on the back of it.

 

[Jimbo]

I do struggle to believe there were unauthorised leaks from the camp.

But even if there were, why confirm them or why not put out a little smoke to muddy the waters?

In what other line of work would an organisation tell its competitors its plans before it absolutely had to?

In itself it's a fairly small thing but these 1%s add up. We won't know the Scots line up until Thursday by which time it's too late to prepare for any surprises. They've now got 2 extra days to figure out how to deal with our strengthened line out and may even change selection on the back of it.

I'm personally not in the slightest bit fussed, I am fed up with all the fannying about and magical approaches to countering this team etc, I'd rather take a leaf out of successful teams books, here's our team, you stop us, I'm not saying England are at this point atm but not sure you will ever reach it within a certain mentality.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

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.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

I'm personally not in the slightest bit fussed, I am fed up with all the fannying about and magical approaches to countering this team etc, I'd rather take a leaf out of successful teams books, here's our team, you stop us, I'm not saying England are at this point atm but not sure you will ever reach it within a certain mentality.

Also any fan paying attention to England throughout the tournament so far could've named our team pretty much bang on. The Scots pretty much already knew who was and wasn't gong to be playing.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

South Africa routinely name their team earlywhilst being the most likely to spring surprises. Not a big issue imo.

 

[BrokenWing]

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

Fixed.

 

[Jakedood]

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.

A lot of mtres made stats are skewed by kick returns and time on the ball, but in terms of incisiveness it's fair to say there wasn't a whole lot on show vs Ireland? The offloads are great but (for the large part) haven't been the kind that break a line so much as in the forwards to gain an extra yard or two.
I do think the quality of ball will be key as England's defence has allowed space in the wider channels, something Finn, Jones and VdM would exploit you'd imagine. Penaud had a lot of time to make an impact last week, as did Lowe in week 1.
If England's back row can eat, they should be able to limit their exposure somewhat as without Tuipolotu the Scottish are struggling to create quick go forward in their back line. He's a massive loss for their attacking structure.
Either way it'll be a fascinating battle

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Also any fan paying attention to England throughout the tournament so far could've named our team pretty much bang on. The Scots pretty much already knew who was and wasn't gong to be playing.

Largely, although on p2 of this thread both @TRF_Olyy and I had a guess at our back 5 of the pack and neither of us got it right. And we're a damned sight more insightful than Gregor Townsend.

Anyway I know when I'm beaten. But I reserve the right to moan about early announcements next time SB does it.