England v Scotland, Sat 2 Feb 4pm; pre/during/post match thread; RTÉ/BBC

thomond2006

England:
15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Brad Barritt, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Mike Brown, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Youngs,
8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Joe Marler.

Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 David Wilson, 18 Mako Vunipola, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 James Haskell, 21 Danny Care, 22 Toby Flood, 23 David Strettle.

Scotland:
15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Kelly Brown, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Ryan Grant.

Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Moray Low, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Alastair Kellock, 20 David Denton, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Max Evans.

Date: Saturday, 2 February
Venue: Twickenham
Kick-off: 16:00 GMT
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland) and Leighton Hodges (Wales)

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_8457669,00.html
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3820_8452252,00.html

England have started Youngs over Care, Twelvetrees making is debut with Tuilagi out injured. Foden not in the 23 so Alex Goode is at 15, Foden was injured during the autumn internationals but his form hasn't been great apparently.

Scotland actually have a dangerous looking backline, Maitland is getting his first cap. He's a proven tryscorer at Super Rugby level, then again his teammates included Carter, SBW and Dagg. It's good to see Johnnie Beattie back in the fold, he was a quality player in 2010 as part of the "Killer Bs" but had a bad run with injuries and getting dropped to the Scottish equivalent of AIL. He's moved to Montpellier and been a great signing. David Denton has fallen off his perch completely, he was a certain Lions tourist last season.

I'd say England will win comfortably enough, I think the spread is slightly kind to Scotland.

awec

Can't see past a good battering for Scotland.

Fishooks13

Scotland by 1-10

That England backline is far from brilliant

Tox56

awec wrote: »

Can't see past a good battering for Scotland.

It's hard to see a backline with Brad Barritt at 13 racking up a score, but their forwards could well get a good battering alright

OldRio

I see Jim Telfer former coach to Scotland is making friends with the English.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2269860/Jim-Telfer-England-arrogant-pretentious-condescending.html

totallegend

Fishooks13 wrote: »

That England backline is far from brilliant

Good individuals but can't see it firing too well as a unit.

Alex Goode is a class act but Barritt, Twelvetrees, Farrell all have a lot to prove at this level, Mike Brown is out of position and Ashton's form is patchy enough. Ben Youngs has been excellent when I've seen him this season.

CatFromHue

I like the look of that Sottish team, player wise anyway it's not as weak as previous Scots teams.

The halfbacks could be a worry but I don't think England will run away with this.

Could be an upset too!

SebBerkovich

Scotland by 1-10

I don't see England losing it, they might get a little shock if they underestimate the team, but their always going to have enough to close the game out.

thomond2006

England by 1-10

Farrell is a 80/90% kicker, I'm not convinced by Ruaridh Jackson. He looked talented a few seasons ago with Glasgow but his star has waned a bit.

kmart6

Jesus I am sick of hearing how England managed to beat a very off form All Blacks team!!

thomond2006

England by 1-10

Still haven't recovered from the Irish game and now this is on!

Six Nations ftw!

irishbucsfan

Looking for the English to mangle the wee scots now

liammur

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Looking for the English to mangle the wee scots now

Me too, I've a big bet on them @ -15

liammur

She was 1 fine singer

moycullen14

Jerry guscott going on about world cup finals snd fortress Twickenham now. What a cock!

ScrubsfanChris

Anyone else see Rolland before the game? Never knew he was so ripped

Anyone

Did Brian Moore swallow a dictionary?

Lightbulb Sun

Liking the English back row, some great ball carrying so far.

awec

England are going to enjoy this game...

bnt

Yep, Scotland don't look at home on that pitch today.

edit: fooled me!

awec

Scotland try. Wow.

duckysauce

Scotland by 1-10

yessssssssssssssssss

Fireball07

Great try!

Kiwi_knock

Come on Scotland, good finish by Maitland.

thomond2006

England by 1-10

Great try, what about that break from Hogg?

kmart6

Great break for the try!

Anyone

Scotland try......that was a mad run by Hogg.....it looked like they just watched him.

liammur

Great try, shocking kick from Brown.

Well done Scotland.

duckysauce

Scotland by 1-10

nice by hogg

Spudmonkey

Hogg is electric on the ball.

Blackheath

Hogg looks class

19543261

WOW. Out of nowhere!

A-Train

Great try!

Swiwi

Good man Maitland!

marco_polo

Yes amazing run to set up the chance.

Ardillaun

Hogg has got some serious wheels. Of course, Brown makes him look even better.

shaungil

Lot of missed tackles on oth sides. Wood and Morgan look good.
Can't see Wood for the Twelvetrees though.
I'll get my coat.

19543261

...Farrel's nipples.

.ak

Yes. Have maitland on my fantasy league team.

Irlandczyk

Straight down the middle from Farrell. 5 - 6

England playing predictably as always, borrowing the Saracens rugby philosophy.

duckysauce

Scotland by 1-10

denton agghhhh

thomond2006

England by 1-10

A Bergamasco from Denton there, cheap three points handed to England probably.

19543261

This game'll bring us back down to earth...excitment levels lowering...lowering...

duckysauce

Scotland by 1-10

19543261 wrote: »

This game'll bring us back down to earth...excitment levels lowering...lowering...

nothing to fear of the english next week so far

duckysauce

Scotland by 1-10

Bod would win this match by himself

Kiwi_knock

Nice kick by Visser, good attacking position

Irlandczyk

19543261 wrote: »

This game'll bring us back down to earth...excitment levels lowering...lowering...

Not sure where your fear is coming from at the moment, anyway. Scotland not playing too badly at all, in Twickenham, no less!

Fishooks13

Scotland by 1-10

Did Rolland just say "give it you've numbers" when England turned a ball over?!

19543261

duckysauce wrote: »

nothing to fear of the english next week so far

Irlandczyk wrote: »

Not sure where your fear is coming from at the moment, anyway. Scotland not playing too badly at all, in Twickenham, no less!

To be clear, I meant in so far as the game's entertainment, rather than our prospects

bnt

Hamilton (Scotland No.5) is not a happy bunny! Was that Farrell who almost got clobbered?

Irlandczyk

19543261 wrote: »

To be clear, I meant in so far as the game's entertainment, rather than our prospects

Ahh, now it all makes sense! Tbh, England to look a little vulnerable so far in defence. To think of what Gilroy, BOD, Zebo, etc... might do given then chances Scotland have had, I'd wonder! Saracen-style play is never pretty to watch though...