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

[Flankers' paradise]

They might not be thrilled but barring any monumental cock ups in the last 2 games I don't think we're in coffin territory at all now.

Plus there's also the perennial question of who else.

I don't think SB is going anywhere, however…..if Wiggles is in the mix for the Tigers job replacing him with Blackett might be one solution. JEA doesn't feel like the right guy for the D but we can't really judge him on a part time basis. Slightly against expectations but Harrison seems to have done a decent job with the scrum although Genge, LCD, Stuart and George are pretty experienced now.

From what I can gather, it seems JEA's primary factor is that he went to school with SB. Blackett in for Wiggy would be ideal. Agree about Harrison although I guess the true test will be in the summer when he's missing those senior players

 

[Which Tyler]

if Wiggles is in the mix for the Tigers job replacing him with Blackett might be one solution.

Nah, needs to be Vesty

 

[Geordie]

Nah, needs to be Vesty

RFU wont be able to afford him.

But to be fair Blacket had the As looking in good shape and organised.

Big difference from A to Senior level though.

 

[Which Tyler]

RFU wont be able to afford him.

Same for Blackett.
They also can't really afford NOT to get one of them.

 

[Geordie]

Same for Blackett.
They also can't really afford NOT to get one of them.

True on Both counts

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

Telegraph seems to think that the Leicester job is a 2 horse race between Lancaster & Gustard. Wigglesworth doesn't seem to be going anywhere….

 

[AlRums]

Didn't notice during the game, but for the last try the ref forced Russell to take his kick further out to the touch line than he needed to be.

Touch down in line with the 5 yard line, then ...



Probably would have made no difference, but still

 

[Geordie]

Ah well these things happen.

Seriously though, there were decisions the other way also that were not correct, so it is what it is.

 

[BrokenWing]

He missed a much easier one under less pressure earlier so…

 

[dgc47]

The way Russell was kicking on Saturday, I doubt he'd have been successful. But, we'll never know now.

One conversion, that's all it would have took.
Moving on.

 

[Wasps92]

RFU wont be able to afford him.

But to be fair Blacket had the As looking in good shape and organised.

Big difference from A to Senior level though.

Well according to Bill Sweeney the RFU's finances are extremely healthy.

I'd rather see Borthwick relieved of his duties sooner rather than later. We're over two years in and that performance on Saturday was no better than those seen in the 2023 6N.

 

[AlRums]

He missed a much easier one under less pressure earlier so…

The way Russell was kicking on Saturday, I doubt he'd have been successful. But, we'll never know now.

One conversion, that's all it would have took.
Moving on.

I did qualify that it probably wouldn't have made any difference.

 

[Saintjay]

Well according to Bill Sweeney the RFU's finances are extremely healthy.

I'd rather see Borthwick relieved of his duties sooner rather than later. We're over two years in and that performance on Saturday was no better than those seen in the 2023 6N.

Tbh I tend to think the RFU will be as pleased as punch to have the Calcuta Cup back. It would have grated them more the SRFU have hand it so long.

Less Steve's team didnt perform well more Steve's team won the cup back. Half empty vs Half full.

 

[BrokenWing]

It's going to take a lot of those finances to get the Irn Bru stains off the trophy.

Less England didn't perform well more at least we didn't get Finn Russell throwing gang signs or whatever the **** it is that he does.

 

[dgc47]

I did qualify that it probably wouldn't have made any difference.

If Russell had converted one of his kicks we wouldn't having this conversation.

 

[AlRums]

If Russell had converted one of his kicks we wouldn't having this conversation.

True

 

[Amiga500]

Again as from the French game - the result is blinding many to the actual match.

England has essentially no control of who won that game from the 78th minute.

Russell misses so they did end up winning.
But that cannot be proclaimed as all to plan... Unless the plan is depending on the oppo winger being a bit brainless and the oppo kicker having an off day?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Half watched it back yesterday and it did feel like the 3rd and 4th best teams in the comp playing under a lot of external pressure.

Scotland blew a chance of a good win, England to their credit did well to give themselves a chamce to nick a game that could have, and probably should have, gotten away from them again.

I think the massive disconnent from England fans is understandable to a degree but also maybe ignoring that they've successfully reached stage 1 of progress following last year. They're winning close games, relying on a bit of luck but also look a lot more streetwise against good teams. Borthwick seems obsessed with a fluid attack but defence is the next step, conceding 3 / 4 tries every game and being under considerable pressure from attacks starting in an opponent's own half won't win championships. Better D leads to better attacking platforms and makes that task easier too.

Overall, progress doesn't come quick at this level and there's more signs this year than last year. A stagnant 2024 leaves Borthwick and England chasing the pack and they probably all have stronger coaching teams so easy to have a grim outlook but for better or worse, Steve has hit his KPIs for this test window in the last two rounds and has 4/5 games to develop things elsewhere before a tricky autumn window.

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

Half watched it back yesterday and it did feel like the 3rd and 4th best teams in the comp playing under a lot of external pressure.

Scotland blew a chance of a good win, England to their credit did well to give themselves a chamce to nick a game that could have, and probably should have, gotten away from them again.

I think the massive disconnent from England fans is understandable to a degree but also maybe ignoring that they've successfully reached stage 1 of progress following last year. They're winning close games, relying on a bit of luck but also look a lot more streetwise against good teams. Borthwick seems obsessed with a fluid attack but defence is the next step, conceding 3 / 4 tries every game and being under considerable pressure from attacks starting in an opponent's own half won't win championships. Better D leads to better attacking platforms and makes that task easier too.

Overall, progress doesn't come quick at this level and there's more signs this year than last year. A stagnant 2024 leaves Borthwick and England chasing the pack and they probably all have stronger coaching teams so easy to have a grim outlook but for better or worse, Steve has hit his KPIs for this test window in the last two rounds and has 4/5 games to develop things elsewhere before a tricky autumn window.

For context, I am an Irish man living in England. There's a real sense here that England are a team of good players who are held back by a mediocre and very conservative coaching team. They have started edging close games, which they were losing last year. This is being played as progress, but were they to lose either of the remaining games, there would be some very difficult questions to answer. Realistically, the Summer tour is the last chance to exit Borthwick. Sacking coaches shortly before 2 consecutive World Cups looks poor. Bearing in mind that $Bill Sweeny is fighting for his job, so he will be praying for a 4/5 win sequence before the SGM in April.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

For context, I am an Irish man living in England. There's a real sense here that England are a team of good players who are held back by a mediocre and very conservative coaching team. They have started edging close games, which they were losing last year. This is being played as progress, but were they to lose either of the remaining games, there would be some very difficult questions to answer. Realistically, the Summer tour is the last chance to exit Borthwick. Sacking coaches shortly before 2 consecutive World Cups looks poor. Bearing in mind that $Bill Sweeny is fighting for his job, so he will be praying for a 4/5 win sequence before the SGM in April.

Ah I, potentially unfairly, assumed they'd win their next two to be fair. If he doesn't get 4/5, he should be shown the door.