An unhappy medium!
- 1 Feb 07, 08:30 AM
Glasgow - English players playing as if holding a grudge? I couldn鈥檛 believe my flaming ears.
At the end of my road lives on old woman with one leg, bad breath, and a dead dog from whose eye drips lots and lots of yellow-matter custard. The trouble is, she can see into the future and I think I saw Martin O鈥橬eill leaving her house just the other day.
She told me what鈥檚 going to happen on Saturday, and I wonder if you agree. This, after I had poured her a whopping great big whisky, is what she said, and I will need to rush as she is banging at my door demanding payment...
England: She says their players will be really fed up at the negative press they have had after the November games so they start with the psychological edge. will be playing 鈥渁s if holding a grudge鈥, and those were her exact words.
England will feel they can predict in some ways what Scotland will do. They鈥檒l sense that Scotland鈥檚 first move will be to get the ball wide via Marcus di Rollo and his long pass so they will target him as the passer, and then try to cut off that ball as it flies out to or Sean Lamont.
Starting from the very front they will try to destroy Scotland鈥檚 scrummage to deny the men from the North any stable attacking platform. They鈥檒l figure that Scotland鈥檚 back row will be reasonable runners, so they鈥檒l maul from lineouts and then get Harry Ellis to break or pop the ball over the top with little kicks, or bring in Mike Tindall like a missile. Martin Corry will carry ball and look to get the home crowd baying.
But she also says that England know they used to be predictable with a two-pass game and then 鈥渃rash鈥, so England, too, will use Farrell and Tindall as decoy runners sometimes and get width on the ball, in particular running at Chris Paterson, the lightest back on the pitch. Paul Sackey鈥檚 try in November came from just such adventurousness.
will be told to play within himself and be safe but use his boot when he has to, and the very last words before the English team leave their dressing room will be: 鈥淎nd if there is any trouble Danny, England expects!鈥 Grewcock will nod and smile knowingly.
Scotland: She says they will, actually, try to have a go at the English pack on their home turf to unsettle them. Yes, they will try to play wide and get Kelly Brown into open spaces using decoy runners in the middle, but there will be times the Scottish pack will want to blast upfield in the middle of the pitch.
They think they have the better of the two lineouts and all they need is one good maul to make the home crowd nervous.
The last words uttered in the Scottish changing room will be: 鈥淚f there is any trouble watch out for Danny.
And, remember, since we won here.鈥
Oh, and the score? England 15, Scotland 鈥︹..help, she鈥檚 here, and I haven鈥檛 got any money. Help. Help. I am the eggman.
Wales 27-18 England
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When did your missus start living down the road, or did you start celebrating already?
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Anyone care to wager how long Grecock and hamilton wil last before having a fist fight.
Im going for during the singing of the anthums, with Hamilton and Grewcock trading blows as Flower of scotland reaches it peak.
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Here's my prediction Johnny. England will take 5-10 mins to get into their stride with players like JW & AF who haven't been playing internationals for a while. However, they will be devastating if they are not pinned down properly by the Scots defence. Lund will get around the pitch making a nuisance of himself while Tindall will lok to get offloads from AF & hit it up himself.
Scotland have one of their biggest packs in the 6N & need to establish themselves as a competitive force. THe Scots will look to big Jim Hamilton & the back row to hit the ball up & create quick ball which will then be shifted wide to open the game up.
Final score England 21 : Scotland 21
(I'm not calling it so a draw is all I'm saying!!)
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Think someone should send a doctor to JB's house as he is clearly suffering from 'crazyarticleitis'. Sounds like he also really fancies this england team to become world beaters just like the english press. If scotland get quick ball I can see our backs ,who happen to be faster for a change, getting round the big lumbersome centres who won't cover the pitch for 80 mins at 100 %. I would also be thinking of putting dewey and hogg on second half to lift our tempo and be direct. Hope its a good match and england to revert to boring rugby.
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Think someone should send a doctor to JB's house as he is clearly suffering from 'crazyarticleitis'. Sounds like he also really fancies this england team to become world beaters just like the english press. If scotland get quick ball I can see our backs ,who happen to be faster for a change, getting round the big lumbersome centres who won't cover the pitch for 80 mins at 100 %. I would also be thinking of putting dewey and hogg on second half to lift our tempo and be direct. Hope its a good match and england to not revert to boring rugby.
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Think someone should send a doctor to JB's house as he is clearly suffering from 'crazyarticleitis'. Sounds like he also really fancies this england team to become world beaters just like the english press. If scotland get quick ball I can see our backs ,who happen to be faster for a change, getting round the big lumbersome centres who won't cover the pitch for 80 mins at 100 %. I would also be thinking of putting dewey and hogg on second half to lift our tempo and be direct. Hope its a good match and england to not revert to boring rugby.
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I'd avoid the mushroom omlettes in future if I was you.
Back to the rugby - the Scots lineout is dependant on Park's boot. If he plays like he does for Glasgow then we should be able to put up a good fight at Twickers... if not then as usual it will be loose ball for the hands of the English.
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Rumour has it that they have narrowed the twickenham pitch to ensure no outside breaks are made all afternoon. Farrell, Tindall and the lumbering oaf (Correy) will stick it their jumpers and "trundle". A huge earthworm has been put under the turf which is attracted by tip toeing dancing feet, PAterson will do two ro three jinky jinkys and then be swallowed by the worm.
As a true Englishman, I would love us to triumph in glory, but if it takes a defeat to the "awd" enemy to end Correys miserable career, I'll take it.
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As for the game - I think the Scots may be a little wary of Ashton's team selection - it looks very strong - a transformed line-up with proven players. The reason - as some form of guide (I know 6 Nations is usually a little unpredictable) having watched the Heineken cup games Scotland are not represented in any of the remaining eight quarter-finalists and only have two of their squad play in the premiership. English teams have done particularly well. But you can never discount Scotland - they do well with a limited squad and I look forward to a cracking game. But I would expect England to win and well at Twickenham. However, if Robinson had still been in charge, having seen them in the Autumn I would probably have backed a very narrow win for Scotland. We shall see!!!
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The key for me is whether Tindall and Farrell can get their midfield defensive lines right. If not, we can punish them. They won't be used to each other yet so I can see some linebreaks there, the big question is do Henderson and Di Rollo have the ability and precision in their game to make it count?
Also would like to think we can get parity with the English forwards, the first scrum will be a good barometer of this. I only hope we can avoid being shoved around all day because I think we have at least parity in the 2nd and back row combinations.
Roll on Saturday!
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Good comments all round, I do feel that the fuse on Danny has been lengthened but still once lit the old hats will be able to put it out in time. For the first time in years I'm excited about the six nations prospects, Scotland with big hearts and some real talent, England with some true heroes back in the side and a desire to please, there will be counter attacks from all over the place on both sides. Both teams will play streetwise and adapt to each others plan, remember a plan is useless but planning is priceless, all this said it's an England win by nine points, Come on boys you know you can do it.
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Good comments all round, I do feel that the fuse on Danny has been lengthened but still once lit the old hats will be able to put it out in time. For the first time in years I'm excited about the six nations prospects, Scotland with big hearts and some real talent, England with some true heroes back in the side and a desire to please, there will be counter attacks from all over the place on both sides. Both teams will play streetwise and adapt to each others plan, remember a plan is useless but planning is priceless, all this said it's an England win by nine points, Come on boys you know you can do it.
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Yer interesting mastery of storytelling there. I have one too.
Once there was a little goblin sized internet geek who could also tell the future and he predicted Scotland were going to give England the fright of their lives and the little goblin would be happy as he won 拢30 at Ladborokes.
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Not many comments from England fans.It seems the "we only sing when we're winning" tag is true!
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As a passionate englishman i havent looked forward to a 6N as much since 2003. Not neccesarily suggesting we'll win it but at least we're picking form (largely) players in their correct positions. This 6N has the potential to be a cracker, cant wait, even though cable TV in SGP is delaying coverage of 2 of the games so they can bring us some middle of the table Premiership soccer dirge live instead. C'est la vie.
btw JB, the Scots flag in Singapore will be flown by Stephen Kinder who I believe is an 'old mucker' of yours. I'l be sure to avoid him if it all goes pear shaped for us !
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So Scotland have "limited resources", C**p, look at the bench and the back up players. THere's genuine competition for places these days. I've never seen such a wealth of players in Scotland before.
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I fully expect England to destroy Scotland. Scotland's victory over England last year was the end result of the moon, stars and planets coming into perfect alignment ot produce (a) a home game for Scotland, (b) attrocious conditions, (c) the worst England team in a long time, (d) a Scottish team that was, by recent standards, half decent.
On Saturday conditions are supposedly going to be good, the game is at Twickenham and I think if you look at the teams England simply have better individuals at most positions. Case in point - anyone asking questions about Jonny at 10 should ask themselves who they would rather have - a half fit world cup winner and undeniable talent, or Dan Parks, one of the shakiest and most limited 10s around.
Had this England team played five or six games together I would forescast a solid thrashing, but as it is I'll take England to win 25-10.
And as for the other result, Grewcock hands down over Hamilton. That's not even fair. Hamilton lopes around like the huge ten year old in mini rugby who has outgrown his peers. Danny will chew him up and spit him out...
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I understand that wilkinson/farrell are risky decisions but the England backline certainly looks threatening. With Wilkinson and Farell distributing and Tindall crashing into tackles, with the added bonus of Robinson, lewsey and balshaw running from deep I would be scared.
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I cant believe that! Just because only 2 scottish players play in the premiership, that does not mean they have limited resources! in the magners league, (the celtic one) the rugby is of, (i believe) a higher standard and does not revert to teams competing to get the most foreign players into their squads! i believe the celtic nations have it right, and instead of looking overseas for players, they choose players from their acadamys..... look at the gwent dragons, half their side is made up of academy players, and they have beaten premiership leaders Bristol! i think im rambling slightly off the point so ill finish quickly........ if the scottish pack get on top, scotland by two tries!
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Oh Lord, save us from Danny the uncontrollable Grewcock. Worth 10 points to the opposition for every 80 mins he's on the pitch. Send him to the Martin Johnson School of Subtlety. ;)
Having read a few of your articles and the responses seems to me you suffer the fate of those who stay near the middle of the road: you get mown down from both directions. But were you really so unaware of the hatred of some Scots? I assume you'd have been well aware of the arrogance of some of the English!
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As a Scotland fan I'm really looking forward to the game - more in hope than expectation though.
Ashton has picked a massive side and a very dangerous looking back line.
If Scotland had all first picks fully fit I would have expected us to test England.
Even so we should match them everywhere except at 10, 12 and 13.
That is where England will win the game.
Parks is our worst fly half and not good enough to be an international.
Henderson and Di Rollo are just too limited and England's centres too powerful for them.
England 29-12.
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I know in New Labour "bull baffles Brains" History has become an opportunity to develop Media Interest!
But to quote an older man, "Is it me?"
or can anyone else remember a successful transfer from RL to RU, I mean Farrell, Robbo (I mean the commentator not ex Coach said, Farrell looks like big boy lost when the Saracens are running around the Park,
Never mind I'm sure some kindly Scot will point him in the RIGHT direction.
If Media Hype can win Internationals, then the Six Nations are in the Bag for England...
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Scotland have improved over the past year or so and Englands form has slumped dramatically, but the feel-good factor that Ashton has created with his positive team selection will ensure that on Saturday England will have too much for Scotland.
While the selection of Wilkinson and Farrell has raised a few eyebrows, no one can deny that quality runs through this English team. Even if they play to 50% of their potential they should run out comfortable winners against the Scots.
As for the rest of the 6 Nations, it really is there for the taking by whoever wants it the most, all the teams have somnething to prove, should be a cracker.
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Very little mention in the press of Hadden's intention to give Paterson a run at 10. Just hope he's given a reasonable stint and not the last 10 minutes with England out of sight.
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I can't remember ever seeing a more exciting backs lineup before for England... sends tingles down my spine in expectation. Balshaw; Lewsey, Tindall, Farrell, Robinson; Wilkinson, sorry & Ellis not so excited about you boy... please fire and do us proud ... we'll need it after we get hammered in the cricket today... !!!
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Don't want to dampen Scots hopes too much but seriously how many of the losses last year would have been wins with a decent kicker a la Wilinson and with the other changes + a new coach ( transformed boring Bath in a few games ) expect a 30 point minimum hammering
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People carry on and on about Grewcock as if he were some sort of saint, and the saviour of the English pack. What difference does it make when he gets sin-binned? He is, to be frank, a liability, and the English can ill-afford such a hot head filling out the ranks, especially now.
Scottish heads are filled with images of a 14-man England, following some idiotic Grewcock lunge, having their flanks exploited by Lamont (Senior), Di Rollo, Webster (if fit and given a hance). We can dream, eh?
I'm predicting a fairly close game, with some excellent defence by the Scots (like last year, but with a viable alternative to Jason White readily apparant), until 70 minutes through. From there, a Dan Parks drop goal, and tries from Lamont and Hamilton will seal it for the Scots. Paterson's boot will be reliable, as always, but the Scots will worry over unnecessary penalties given away. Other tries from Woseley, Corry, Lawson and Dewey.
Final Score: Scotland 34 England 23
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People carry on and on about Grewcock as if he were some sort of saint, and the saviour of the English pack. What difference does it make when he gets sin-binned? He is, to be frank, a liability, and the English can ill-afford such a hot head filling out the ranks, especially now.
Scottish heads are filled with images of a 14-man England, following some idiotic Grewcock lunge, having their flanks exploited by Lamont (Senior), Di Rollo, Webster (if fit and given a hance). We can dream, eh?
I'm predicting a fairly close game, with some excellent defence by the Scots (like last year, but with a viable alternative to Jason White readily apparant), until 70 minutes through. From there, a Dan Parks drop goal, and tries from Lamont and Hamilton will seal it for the Scots. Paterson's boot will be reliable, as always, but the Scots will worry over unnecessary penalties given away. Other tries from Woseley, Corry, Lawson and Dewey.
Final Score: Scotland 34 England 23
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Don't want to dampen Scots hopes too much but seriously how many of the losses last year would have been wins with a decent kicker a la Wilinson and with the other changes + a new coach ( transformed boring Bath in a few games ) expect a 30 point minimum hammering
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If I or any passionate scotsman was running onto the pitch for scotland the morn to play against England (dreaming) infront of 80000 mostly cocky expectant Englishmen. My point is, is this not atleast as good as home advantage to get you going. It is about time the Scottish team rose to the occasion and shut them up for 2 years running.
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Say High to Stephen Kinder for me over there in Singapore, had a good time with him in Kuala Lumpur a year ago.
Yes, I agree this is the most eagerly awaited Six NAtions match in years with the eyes of the world on the game because of J W's inclusion.
do you want my prediction? Scotland to win by three points and wipe twenty four years of history away in the process.
BTW, I don't think Tindall is as slow as people say as I saw him outstrip a portion of the Edinburgh defence at Murrayfield, Tindall has gas.
If anyone is going to the spencer davis group on Sat in Oxford street then I will see you all there, and if there are any contacts for Charlotte Church tell her I still need her for this big gig in Edinburgh after the Wales game
See you all at Twckers
JB
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Dave, you mention that you fail to remember any single, successful transfer from RL to RU.
Do the words Jason and Robinson ring any bells, you great big muppet.
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After having been at Murrayfield for one of the Autumn tests, we put in a reasonable show against one of the best teams in the world, and to be frank, England don't come close to the class that the Aussies have.
I would love us to win it - I'd happily take a 1point win - if nothing else to show the world that we can challenge the so called bigger teams and to wipe the smug smile off the English medias faces who are acting already that just because they've got a certain player back from injury that the game will be a walk in the park for them.
The game will be a close one, thats undoubtable as we have come a long way since Hadden took over and England MIGHT just undergo the same sort of revival now they too have a new coach but somehow I think it will be too soon for this game.
Scotland will win, but by how much, I'm not sure but lets retain the cup for the first time in donkeys boys!
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Whichever way you see this game going ,isn't it great to see a competitive 6 Nations again ? For the first time I can remember in a long time the whole championship is open and could go to three possibly four sides.I think away wins will be at a premium and there will not be a grand slam winner .Ireland should be and are deservedly favourites but I think all sides can beat eachother on any given day.
Being an Englishman nothing gives me greater pleasure than putting one over on our Celtic cousins and I am quietly confident that Brian Ashton has put out a team that has the ability to put us on the right tracks again.I think picking JW is not the gamble it seems and lets face it he is a World Cup winner and there are no other players from any other teams who can say that.
However no one knows how this new look side is going to function ,but just by picking a mix of experienced and in form players the whole atitiude of England fans has changed .
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As for RL to RU converts, what about Lote Tuquiri, Wendell Sailor and Matt Rogers?
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Really looking forward to the game, but as a Scot, I'm genuinely worried about what Andy Farrell & Tindell will do to that pair of epic non-tacklers, Parks & Di Rollo (aka "Liability Boy" - can't tackle, poor retention in contact, loses concentration easily. Why was he picked, exactly??).
The battle up front should be fantastic - just wish we could produce more truly mighty props.
And it would be good to see Paterson at 10 - if only to get Rory Lamont on the pitch (and Parks off it).
Still, it's easy ripping international-class players to bits when you're astonishingly mediocre like I used to be, eh? :-)
I played in a charity match with that John Beattie chap once, you know...
:-)
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I don't get all these references to 'English smugness' and arrogance. Sure, there's a certain amount of cautious optimism about Robinson's replacement by Ashton and obviously the return of a few big names and the debut of Farrell makes it an interesting match but that's as far as it goes. I reckon this constant harping on about English arrogance is just a default setting for the Scots; judging by this blog they seem do a lot more pre-match sneering than us. Hopefully we can finally get back on track with a home win, however scrappy, and even if everybody else clobbers us we can at least 'send them home tae think again'.
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This could be a great 6 Nations cos all the teams are pretty close.
Eng are weak, the Italians and Welsh improving.
France and Ireland look strongest, and meet in week 2.
Ireland look to have the luck of the draw with home games against France and England.
England have Scotland, Italy and France at home - so could do well.
Let the whistle blow for kick off!
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I don't get all these references to 'English smugness' and arrogance. Sure, there's a certain amount of cautious optimism about Robinson's replacement by Ashton and obviously the return of a few big names and the debut of Farrell makes it an interesting match but that's as far as it goes. I reckon this constant harping on about English arrogance is just a default setting for the Scots; judging by this blog they seem do a lot more pre-match sneering than us. Hopefully we can finally get back on track with a home win, however scrappy, and even if everybody else clobbers us we can at least 'send them home tae think again'.
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I can sum up the result on saturday in 2 words. WILKINSON. BOOT. Everyone says the mans out of practice but the fact is he's a points machine! if england had kicked their goals (and maybe a few drop goals) they would have won about 50% of the games they played over the last few years. Scotland have one hope. KILL WILKINSON. It's a flankers dream.
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Well, not long to go now boys and girls.
All the above comments, even the chat from the die-hard Clive Woodward 2003 fanclub folks (you know who you are!) seem fair and level headed. So I'm going to rock the boat...
England have the fatties back in the pack, so I foresee mauls up the park with Ellis pinging it out to Farrell and Tindall to crash towards our lightweight centres making ground there. Robinson, Lewsey and Balshaw will only see the ball inside Scotlands 22 for the full burst of gas over a short distance to the line. Fully expect to see a couple of Eng tries using this method, with at least one coming from a forwards pile up over the line. Yawn.
Scotland on the other hand have a lighter and more mobile pack (excluding Hamilton). Fast rucking and playing up the pitch through the wings will be the order of the day. Played through the hands with the quick guys (Paterson, Lamont, Di Rollo and Southwell) running from deep and looking for gaps. Also see Parks doing a few cheeky chips over the heads to get Eng on the back foot - this is assuming we wrest posession from the Lillywhite Lardy Lads. Parks won't have much to worry about from an average England back row (by their previous standards). Line out will be our best form of set peice as scrum will be under serious pressure - thank God no Sheridan!
So to summarise:
England to use centres as a hammer and the forwards to play rugby circa 1991, up the jumper stylee. Deano will be proud. Jonny will rarely have to kick for touch but will pot the few penalties Scotland give. Couple of tries max.
Scotlands line out will be sweet as. Ball off set peice will be raced up the pitch by the speedsters. Scotland will thrive on English ill-discipline spawned from lack of cohesion. 2 converted tries both from backs, 6 penalties.
Final score: Sco 32 - 24 Eng
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Wilkinson boot
Have you ever heard of Mr Chris Paterson with a 91 % kicking accuracy - I think he must be better than Wilkinson now considering some of the kicks he has put away , very rare in a game to see him miss one and I have to think hard about him missing 2
If the english are hoping that they will win on points I think they will have a real problem come 6 pm on Saturday
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Interesting comments from most people. There are a lot of fantasies being lived out by both sets of supporters it seems. From my (English and one time back) point of view lets review a couple of points.
Jonny. How can you leave him out of the England team if he is fit? For all those who can't remember when he used to play international rugby, he used to be the major factor in wins because he would punish any team that gave penalties away inside their own half. Assuming that he has been practicing his kicking game, while he has not been fit enough to play matches, and he will have been, if you conceed a penalty he will convert it 9 times out of 10. That will prey on the minds of any opposition. If they don't conceed penalties, they will allow tries to be scored. That's what he does for a team.
Andy Farrell. Why? He is in his 30's, and he has played hardly any rugby for his club. What is he going to bring to the party? It took Jason Robinson years to get in the groove. Is Farrell that much better? I can see a disaster in midfield waiting to happen.
I shall be watching the game and hoping to see Farrell have a great game, but I won't be betting my life on it.
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Though my heart would like a win my head tells me we're in for a bit of a spanking at the hands - well, actually, the boot - of the Auld Enemy.
I can just see it now:
a) England pack win ball. Ball to Wilko. Ball to Tindall. TINDAL SMASH! Back row over the top. Tears before bedtime.
Or:
b) England pack win ball. Grunt up field. Ball to Wilko. Boot to touch or just off it. Goto a).
You can substitute Farrell in for Wilko for the kicking options now and again but that's about it.
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sure it is good to see Jonny back (since I am English) and he will punish mistakes, but the main problem England have had for the last 18 months has been the 8, 9, 10 axis. Ok so now we have the 10 positioon sorted but the other two still look weak.
For England to be world threatening, or even in with a chance for the six nations they need options off the back of the scrum with a no.8 who can play the whole game, and a scrum half with courage, conviction and good distribution.
England will win on Saturday, but can't see them threateniong Ireland over the whole tournament, Wales won't manage to play for all the five matches, and France will turn up with the wrong team at least once. sorry but England arn't there yet.
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Regetfully cannot see Scotland winning. Have been supporting them for years and realism is sometimes required.
With so few players to select from it is an impressive team and the nation plays well above its weight. But england have so many and for once seem to have selected a team that looks OK and as usual is big.
If we get some ball early it will be a contest otherwise I will have to turn the TV off before half time. I am too old and my health would not stand it.
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As a lifelong England fan, I'm rubbing my hands together at the prospect of a competitive 6 nations and moreso at an England team managed by Brian Ashton, where our no.10 may occasionally pass. Watching England under Robinson has been a painful chore these last 3 years.
I've been reading lots of JW nostalgia in these posts, accompanied by amnesia - for all Jonny's placekicking prowess, it was his all-round game that made him the best no. 10 in the world 3 years ago, a much better runner and more varied distributor of the ball than Charlie Hodgeson ever was for England. Picking him's a gamble, but only on whether he can go 80 minutes without picking up an injury - he's a match winner.
Having said that, as another blogger noted England's pack, especially our back row are not the best and Scotland have a world-class back three who might test a full-back on his debut.
I'd like to see the Scotland pack run us ragged for mobility, dispellin the ridiculous idea we have that bigger is always better, and forcing the English forwards game back into this century. More likely with be stop-start performance from both teams with the Twickenham factor too much for Scotland away from home and a couple of late scores flattering us.
England 24 Scotand 12
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