[Natwest 6 Nations] Round 3 : Scotland Vs England 24/02/2018 16:45

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I assume Simmonds is injured? I'm surprised they have kept Lawes at flanker, I just don't think he's test match quality there.

Yes Simmonds is injured. Agree on Lawes, I liked that idea of him at flanker and theoretically it should work; high work rate, destructive tackler, decent ball carrier, good lineout option etc. but in reality it just doesn't. Especially now that Simmonds, the only jackler that was in the team, has been replaced by an unfit Hughes. Up against the likes of Barclay and Watson I can't see us not getting dominated at the breakdown.

On a similar note, seeing as Hughes is unlikely to play the whole game as I doubt he's test match fit yet, we'll be seeing Robshaw at 8 again. Wonderful.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Yes Simmonds is injured. Agree on Lawes, I liked that idea of him at flanker and theoretically it should work; high work rate, destructive tackler, decent ball carrier, good lineout option etc. but in reality it just doesn't. Especially now that Simmonds, the only jackler that was in the team, has been replaced by an unfit Hughes. Up against the likes of Barclay and Watson I can't see us not getting dominated at the breakdown.

On a similar note, seeing as Hughes is unlikely to play the whole game as I doubt he's test match fit yet, we'll be seeing Robshaw at 8 again. Wonderful.

Hmm it's a good point with Robshaw. That's why I expected to see Haskell on the bench, at least he has played 8 at a decent level before.

 

[spartan32]

whole

Not sure it follows that just because Hughes hasn't played a lot of games he's not fully fit. All the fitness work is done away for the big games and I doubt EJ and his team would have put Hughes forward if they didn't believe he could contribute something decent to the match. If im honest I wouldn't be surprised if did go the whole game, especially if it's close. He's a young lad and more than capable of a strong a fast recovery.

In any event by the time Hughes does need to come off England really should have put the Scots out of sight. And then Robshaw just has to be solid and see the game out which he is more than capable of doing

The problem will come if England don't get their arses in gear and allow the Scots to stay in touch, or worse be in the lead. Not sure they have the skills to beat England, but they certainly have the passion, which is magnified when at Murryfield. If we allow their moral to build we could have problems. We need the same kind of start we had with the Welsh but without the drop off after 25 mins or so. Do that and jobs done. The Scots are clearly worried about this game, with Townsend already trying the get in the refs head with the offside none sense.

In any event I'm looking forward to this one. Hope it's dry.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hughes was blowing out his arse for wasps the other day, and EJ said his fitness was way below what they want.
I think if we had any other option he'd be on the bench rather than starting.
Needs must, though.

 

[Nudger]

Flying up for match tomorrow
Can't wait

 

[spartan32]

Hughes was blowing out his arse for wasps the other day, and EJ said his fitness was way below what they want.
I think if we had any other option he'd be on the bench rather than starting.
Needs must, though.

Didn't see that game or realise he was struggling so much. And it really is a case of beggars can't be choosers I suppose. I guess all we can hope is that he makes a real impact for the time he is on the field. I have similar concerns to others here that our backrow lacks tha ability to cause any real problems for Scotland at the breakdown so we really need to do something with the ball when we've got it because I can't see us getting back very often once lost. Hughes should be able to get us some front foot ball for at least the first 30 mins and this is when we need to hit Scotland hard. If we can break them down in the first half finishing them off in the last 20 shouldn't be much of a chore.

 

[Maverick1987]

Hughes was blowing out his arse for wasps the other day, and EJ said his fitness was way below what they want.
I think if we had any other option he'd be on the bench rather than starting.
Needs must, though.

What I don't understand is why we don't have someone like Mark Wilson on the bench ?!? He's proven himself for England on the Argentina tour and can play all across the back row . If he doesn't want to drop Underhill just drop the 4th lock, we have cover on the pitch anyway ......

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I'm twitchy about this one.

We've been riding our luck for a while and Sco will be infinitely better than in Cardiff. Factor in the whole Eng at Murrayfield thing and the respective back row balances and it's not impossible to see the stars aligning.

If we do ever lose again I think that it will be more likely against a team getting a fast and loose game right rather than one employing percentages and the bludgeon.

Robshaw needs to squash Hamish Watson. Hear a lot of Watson's name and we could be struggling.

 

[Maverick1987]

I'm twitchy about this one.

We've been riding our luck for a while and Sco will be infinitely better than in Cardiff. Factor in the whole Eng at Murrayfield thing and the respective back row balances and it's not impossible to see the stars aligning.

If we do ever lose again I think that it will be more likely against a team getting a fast and loose game right rather than one employing percentages and the bludgeon.

Robshaw needs to squash Hamish Watson. Hear a lot of Watson's name and we could be struggling.

Really ? Tbh I feel like we would struggle more against a France/Ireland style of "bludgeoning" rather that a fast paced game . The fast pace game suits us in terms of fitness and how quick our outside backs + JJ are .

 

[TW27BA]

Eddie playing mind games again or?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43162958

 

[spartan32]

Eddie playing mind games again or?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43162958

Proper mind games. God love him.

 

[bushytop]

Eddie playing mind games again or?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43162958

He's like an Australian Columbo... a layman would hear his babble, seemingly full of praise and positives while, if you look a little deeper it is all said as a catalyst to some supposed end.

He's my favourite international coach who does not coach Wales for the sole reason that he is thoroughly entertaining.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Eddie playing mind games again or?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43162958

I can just imagine the responses. "How DARE Jones play such stupid mind games by claiming Russell is world class, everyone can see he isn't and it is heaping too much expectation on him!"

 

[spartan32]

Eddie playing mind games again or?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43162958

It's genius when you look at it. Either the Scots have to lambast the mind games as Rage says and admit that Russell and they are really not that good, cue laughter

Or they go along with it and agree that Russell is world class and they do play just like NZ. Cue hysterical laughter.

Check and mate. I doff my hat to you Mr jones

 

[TRF_Olyy]

With Russell playing the way he is then I think JJ getting an intercept try is almost nailed on.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

It's genius when you look at it. Either the Scots have to lambast the mind games as Rage says and admit that Russell and they are really not that good, cue laughter

Or they go along with it and agree that Russell is world class and they do play just like NZ. Cue hysterical laughter.

Check and mate. I doff my hat to you Mr jones

Or Townsend, like Cotter before him can just ignore mind games and coach their sides into winning positions against top international sides - like they've repeatedly done in recent years.

 

[Maverick1987]

Or Townsend, like Cotter before him can just ignore mind games and coach their sides into winning positions against top international sides - like they've repeatedly done in recent years.

It's impossible to ignore now . The press will have their daggers out and that on its own brings a fair amount of pressure

 

[bushytop]

Or Townsend, like Cotter before him can just ignore mind games and coach their sides into winning positions against top international sides - like they've repeatedly done in recent years.

Toonie is still learning that Test match rugby isn't just about the rugby, he'll get there too as he's a sharp bloke... but Eddie really has pulled a master stroke with this one.

Hoping for a Scotland win (for various reasons) but I just can't see it happening.

 

[General Melchett]

It's easy to win mind games when you coach the no.2 team in the world and whatever you say is usually backed up with a win. I doubt it will have any affect on Townsend or Russell.

I expect the England forwards to lay the platform for a comfortable win by around 10 points.

 

[spartan32]

Or Townsend, like Cotter before him can just ignore mind games and coach their sides into winning positions against top international sides - like they've repeatedly done in recent years.

I wouldn't call Townsend acusing England of being offside in defence due to our epic line spread "ignoring the mind games"
I'd call it playing mind games really badly against a master of the art, and getting your area handed to you.

If Scotland follow the lead of their coach there gonna be in real trouble.