Scotland v England Sat 24 Feb 4.45pm

[Mikey Brown]

Just done a quick check and the record winning margin for Ireland at Twickenham is 17. I would suggest that will be changing in a fortnight.

You never know, we might get someone sent off and then we can chuck the plans out the window. There’s always hope.

[Oakboy]

I found it hard to know what we were doing in attack - especially late on. I think this is because we got turned-over, dropped the ball, kicked it away or threw it into touch before we got going. I'm sure there was a play on/after 70 mins where we had an attacking lineout near the 22 and we got turned over after first or second phase. Teams get turned over - but surely you can plan the first few phases of a lineout move, this shouldn't happen. In fact our first try was from perfectly executing a move which makes this more annoying.

All the Scotland tries came from our errors if I'm remembering rightly and at least 2 of those completely unforced. Scotland did well to execute when given the chances but it's us handing them those chances. It was quite clear when there is a moment of broken play (bouncing ball, scruffy kick tennis, ball thrown into player's face bouncing to the opposition etc) that the defensive system isn't able to cope with that. We can't close spaces quickly and the defence is complete pigs ear. There were a lot of tackles missed but my memory is that most tries came from this type of transition, so this needs to be worked on. Along with throwing and catching.

There were moments of brightness but we usually did something dull straight after. IFW had a positive impact on every touch and should be a stick-on selection for the next game. Getting him in space or running into a broken field would be a good idea.

Agree with all that. As regards IFW, daft as it sounds, he may be better coming off the bench. I'm only thinking how much we expected from Freeman. He has got progressively worse over three matches when subjected to the starting XV preparation. Hardly any of his best 'normal' game is seen even though he appears to be working hard. Might IFW be spoiled too?

[Epaminondas Pules]

It would help if we’d used him in any way that actually utilised his strengths. Kind of like we did against Italy. He’s not got worse. We have.

[Banquo]

I found it hard to know what we were doing in attack - especially late on. I think this is because we got turned-over, dropped the ball, kicked it away or threw it into touch before we got going. I'm sure there was a play on/after 70 mins where we had an attacking lineout near the 22 and we got turned over after first or second phase. Teams get turned over - but surely you can plan the first few phases of a lineout move, this shouldn't happen. In fact our first try was from perfectly executing a move which makes this more annoying.

All the Scotland tries came from our errors if I'm remembering rightly and at least 2 of those completely unforced. Scotland did well to execute when given the chances but it's us handing them those chances. It was quite clear when there is a moment of broken play (bouncing ball, scruffy kick tennis, ball thrown into player's face bouncing to the opposition etc) that the defensive system isn't able to cope with that. We can't close spaces quickly and the defence is complete pigs ear. There were a lot of tackles missed but my memory is that most tries came from this type of transition, so this needs to be worked on. Along with throwing and catching.

There were moments of brightness but we usually did something dull straight after. IFW had a positive impact on every touch and should be a stick-on selection for the next game. Getting him in space or running into a broken field would be a good idea.

Agree with all that. As regards IFW, daft as it sounds, he may be better coming off the bench. I'm only thinking how much we expected from Freeman. He has got progressively worse over three matches when subjected to the starting XV preparation. Hardly any of his best 'normal' game is seen even though he appears to be working hard. Might IFW be spoiled too?

how has freeman 'got worse'?

[Banquo]

france all over Italy for 38 mins but butchered countless chances...then possibly Danty (to be) sent off

[Insouciant]

Watching the Italy France game. Italy under the pump for most of the first half. They get the ball in the last 5 minutes.. and their handling/ability to make yards is light years ahead of ours. Yep a could of brain farts and a pass goes to ground (though re-gathered and the move restarted) but they made 30 yards or so pretty quickly with a lot of good handling. I just don't expect that from England when we get the ball. Whatever the Italian attacking plan is, I'm no expert, but they all seem to be aware of what they are doing.

[Banquo]

It would help if we’d used him in any way that actually utilised his strengths. Kind of like we did against Italy. He’s not got worse. We have.

its all odd. Pick form players and dont use their strengths.....nobody seems to know jackshit bout backplay.

[p/d]

It would help if we’d used him in any way that actually utilised his strengths. Kind of like we did against Italy. He’s not got worse. We have.

Exactly. Unless, of course, it was Freeman who kept calling for the restarts to be kicked to Gilchrist

[p/d]

And now Sergio makes Warburton look like a snappy dresser

[Stom]

It would help if we’d used him in any way that actually utilised his strengths. Kind of like we did against Italy. He’s not got worse. We have.

its all odd. Pick form players and dont use their strengths.....nobody seems to know jackshit bout backplay.

Lock, Hooker, Flanker, Lock... Ashton was the last back to get the HC job.

[Spiffy]

france all over Italy for 38 mins but butchered countless chances...then possibly Danty (to be) sent off

This game is the ultimate in stultifying boredom :

- A French pack that has about 100 Kg advantage but isn't doing much with it.
- Dropped passes, aimless kicks and no brains
- A roofed stadium full of fireworks smoke so you can't see, and the players have to breath this shit
- Dewi Morris

Probably time to switch off

[Banquo]

Watching the Italy France game. Italy under the pump for most of the first half. They get the ball in the last 5 minutes.. and their handling/ability to make yards is light years ahead of ours. Yep a could of brain farts and a pass goes to ground (though re-gathered and the move restarted) but they made 30 yards or so pretty quickly with a lot of good handling. I just don't expect that from England when we get the ball. Whatever the Italian attacking plan is, I'm no expert, but they all seem to be aware of what they are doing.

somehow they`ve figured out that its a game rather than pre programmed slow mo hokey cokey.

Danty indeed red carded. Dupont unsuprisingly a huge miss still

[Oakboy]

I found it hard to know what we were doing in attack - especially late on. I think this is because we got turned-over, dropped the ball, kicked it away or threw it into touch before we got going. I'm sure there was a play on/after 70 mins where we had an attacking lineout near the 22 and we got turned over after first or second phase. Teams get turned over - but surely you can plan the first few phases of a lineout move, this shouldn't happen. In fact our first try was from perfectly executing a move which makes this more annoying.

All the Scotland tries came from our errors if I'm remembering rightly and at least 2 of those completely unforced. Scotland did well to execute when given the chances but it's us handing them those chances. It was quite clear when there is a moment of broken play (bouncing ball, scruffy kick tennis, ball thrown into player's face bouncing to the opposition etc) that the defensive system isn't able to cope with that. We can't close spaces quickly and the defence is complete pigs ear. There were a lot of tackles missed but my memory is that most tries came from this type of transition, so this needs to be worked on. Along with throwing and catching.

There were moments of brightness but we usually did something dull straight after. IFW had a positive impact on every touch and should be a stick-on selection for the next game. Getting him in space or running into a broken field would be a good idea.

Agree with all that. As regards IFW, daft as it sounds, he may be better coming off the bench. I'm only thinking how much we expected from Freeman. He has got progressively worse over three matches when subjected to the starting XV preparation. Hardly any of his best 'normal' game is seen even though he appears to be working hard. Might IFW be spoiled too?

how has freeman 'got worse'?

In terms of affecting the game.

[Banquo]

Agree with all that. As regards IFW, daft as it sounds, he may be better coming off the bench. I'm only thinking how much we expected from Freeman. He has got progressively worse over three matches when subjected to the starting XV preparation. Hardly any of his best 'normal' game is seen even though he appears to be working hard. Might IFW be spoiled too?

how has freeman 'got worse'?

In terms of affecting the game.

unless he has telekinetic powers not sure what he is supposed to do.

[p/d]

Watching the Italy France game. Italy under the pump for most of the first half. They get the ball in the last 5 minutes.. and their handling/ability to make yards is light years ahead of ours. Yep a could of brain farts and a pass goes to ground (though re-gathered and the move restarted) but they made 30 yards or so pretty quickly with a lot of good handling. I just don't expect that from England when we get the ball. Whatever the Italian attacking plan is, I'm no expert, but they all seem to be aware of what they are doing.

somehow they`ve figured out that its a game rather than pre programmed slow mo hokey cokey.

Danty indeed red carded. Dupont unsuprisingly a huge miss still

I’m actually quite enjoying this. Full of errors but a bit of fun.

[Greebo]

how has freeman 'got worse'?

In terms of affecting the game.

unless he has telekinetic powers not sure what he is supposed to do.

<Like>

[Banquo]

Watching the Italy France game. Italy under the pump for most of the first half. They get the ball in the last 5 minutes.. and their handling/ability to make yards is light years ahead of ours. Yep a could of brain farts and a pass goes to ground (though re-gathered and the move restarted) but they made 30 yards or so pretty quickly with a lot of good handling. I just don't expect that from England when we get the ball. Whatever the Italian attacking plan is, I'm no expert, but they all seem to be aware of what they are doing.

somehow they`ve figured out that its a game rather than pre programmed slow mo hokey cokey.

Danty indeed red carded. Dupont unsuprisingly a huge miss still

I’m actually quite enjoying this. Full of errors but a bit of fun.

me too, Spiffs being a bit curmudgeonly. Then again....Dewi

Italy have a sniff here. France wobbly.

[morepork]

Italy level with 9 to go and they fucking box kick and give France the fucking ball. Jesus.

[Banquo]

cmon.....

[Banquo]

so unlucky...ball fell off the tee....

[Banquo]

hope spiff watched

[p/d]

hope spiff watched

That was cracking!

[Mikey Brown]

That was insane. That ending was completely unbelievable. I've never felt such a bizarre atmosphere from a stadium through the TV.

[p/d]

That was insane. That ending was completely unbelievable. I've never felt such a bizarre atmosphere from a stadium through the TV.

Crazy wasn’t it.
All added to by having Flat’s in commentary

[morepork]

Kudos to Garbisi for seeing the wry humour in it and not going all flappy and angry.