Calcutta Cup 2023

Losty Dublin

Live on RTE 2 and ITV/STV. Live commentary on BBC Radio as well.

England XV: Steward; Malins, Marchant, Farrell (c), Hassell-Collins; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Chessum, Ludlam, B Curry, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, Earl, Youngs, Lawrence, Watson.

Scotland XV: Hogg; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Nel; R Gray, Gilchrist; Ritchie (c), Crosbie, M Fagerson.

Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, Berghan, J Gray, Dempsey, Horne, Kinghorn, Harris.

Rugby's oldest competition at the Cabbage Field is todays second test. The visitors come into todays game not having lost at Twickers since 2015 having successfully defended the cup in 2021 and 2022, as well as successfully defending their 5 Nations title since 1999; modest much? Shirley not. Anyway, with a new England coach coming in since the new year, the odds are less in favour of a home win than one would expect.

No Healy this week though, nor is there a Tuilagi. Unlike Cardiff, I'm expecting a more competitive game but this time round I'll go with a home win 29-24.

fullstop

Names on the back of the jerseys for England. Cringe.

Edit; both teams. Double cringe.

dastardly00

Cracking try for Scotland

Calahonda52

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120202122#Comment_120202122

It is being trialled to assist testing artificial intelligence as a replacement for human commentary eg ChapGPT

The GPS trackers will give the movement, as well as verify the names

phily2002

England very one dimensional so far. Great Scottish try

FrancieBrady

Poor stuff so far

AbusesToilets

Hogg was a bit at sea trying to deal with that kick through

tanko

That try looked dodgy,

fullstop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120202182#Comment_120202182

Fair enough. Looks fairly shite though!

fullstop

Jesus what a try!!

c.p.w.g.w

That was some of the worst defending I have ever seen

Xander10

England playing tag rugby there

scott1974

Hugh Cahill is a numpty

fitz

What a try. He's absolutely embarrassed the England defense there.

OldRio

Oh my. Wonderful

phily2002

Beeeaaaasssttt mode, that's class

AbusesToilets

What a score!

FrancieBrady

Not hard to score when no-one will tackle you. 😁

CMcsporty

I don’t watch English rugby but does Dombrandt always look this unfit?

Narcissus

Looked like Farrell was obstructed a bit when VdM first got the ball

StevenToast

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120202268#Comment_120202268

You would nearly miss Ryle Nugent listening to him....

....nearly...

FrancieBrady

Good try there

scott1974

Ryle "options left and right" Nugent..

randomname2005

Two misses by Farrell is unusual. Wonder if there is wind or something given Russell's miss

AbusesToilets

Russell has been muck so far today

phily2002

Poor 3 points to give away by Scotland

stephen_n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120202313#Comment_120202313

The sad thing is, he is worse in person.

StevenToast

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120202344#Comment_120202344

I believe you

phily2002

That's poor reffing in the scrum, Genge nearly driving sideways

phily2002

And then they end up getting a try...

Clegg

We should celebrate these great bits of solo running for trys.

But some of England's tackling his been so poor.

phily2002

Ben Curry struggling out there

pickarooney

So satisfying to see a goose stepping numpty get nailed into touch

Clegg

Is that a poor pass from Hogg or a bad catch from the Scottish 14?

Either way they've butchered a try.

AbusesToilets

Hogg absolutely butchered that with a **** pass under no pressure

phily2002

Another bad scrum decision, Coles clearly walking around

Clegg

England's defence has been quite poor. If Scotland could actually build sustained possession and territory they would put England under huge pressure.

degsie

Far too much downtime. Killing the game!

swiwi_

I see Luke Fitzgerald is back on the wing. At least it looks like him at 14 for Scotland.

sligeach

Nice try from Scotland in this topsy turvy game.

bingobango12

Brilliant try again by Van Der Merwe

phily2002

Great game

Clegg

Marcus Smith has been poor. It's a problem having his coach as a commentator who just won't mention it.

pickarooney

Smith has contributed a lot in attack. By far the better 10 today.

AbusesToilets

England's kicking has been abysmal in attack. Twice kicking away in strong positions for nothing.

roverjoyce

Jaysus England were rode by that ref

tanko

England are a shambles, Eddie Jones will have a good laugh watching this.

fitz

You love to see it.

Scotland will get carried away and implode as usual, though.

Mr.Crinklewood

Southgate out.

AbusesToilets

Smith is an empty shirt out there. Eats up space crabbing across the pitch and non-existent in attack

Losty Dublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120202313#Comment_120202313

It raises a good point; with the untimely death of Eddie Butler there's a dearth of excellent commentators of the game in these climes.