Scotland vs England - Sat 4.40pm

[FKAS]

Dupont has male pattern baldness coming through.

Hah! That's one thing I have over him!

I bet he's got the cash to get the Wayne Rooney treatment.

[fivepointer]

Different level stuff from France. Great for the neutral.

[Galfon]

It was a test. SB failed it. He still might be the future but there is now more doubt.

This is true, it matters little what happened last week v. Wales or next week v. Ireland, this was a stiff test of known proportions where selection, on-field leadership and SCW's 'T-Cup' were found wanting.
Staunch Believer can still still take the doubt-dial down a few notches by an accomplished showing next week, then finishing off in style after the fallow week - a win in Paris however optimistic that may feel now must be a genuine target.

[Oakboy]

It was a test. SB failed it. He still might be the future but there is now more doubt.

This is true, it matters little what happened last week v. Wales or next week v. Ireland, this was a stiff test of known proportions where selection, on-field leadership and SCW's 'T-Cup' were found wanting.
Staunch Believer can still still take the doubt-dial down a few notches by an accomplished showing next week, then finishing off in style after the fallow week - a win in Paris however optimistic that may feel now must be a genuine target.

The test might be considered to be extended. Ireland and Italy now represent 'nervous' challenges. SB's reputation might survive defeat by France - no real disgrace the way they are performing - but what about the other two? Following the trouncing by Scotland (let's face it, it was no narrow defeat), how confident are we about two wins? What happens if either or both are defeats?

Coach and squad must have had their confidence shaken. A solid win in Edinburgh would suggest 'onwards and upwards' going forward but now?

Puja has suggested minimum change to award under-performers a second chance. Maybe the main merit of that is identifying those that fail again with permanent discarding in mind. Dare SB risk that, though? Presumably the strength/weakness of character in the training camp will determine the route he follows next. In his shoes, I might feel action is easier to live with than inaction. That could mean half a dozen changes in the 23 at least.

Stick or twist? I think change of approach and balance is required.

[Spiffy]

Sorry if that came across snarkier than intended. I think it did.

I feel like I agree with most of that. I’m just not sure I got much of that from your previous post.

Has all this recent hype around England been a bit of a false dawn, is that winning streak just luck or has Borthwick been figured out to some degree?

That’s fair. And I think that’s in part due to me poorly expressing myself sans partly due to the coverage of England and the idea that we’re suddenly world beaters.

There is one other thing to keep in mind: this is a post Lions year. Our key players have been playing non stop for ages. They need a rest.

Yeah, it’s not as good or as bad as has been made out really.

Lions hangover is real. I mean look at Ireland this year.

As for the LCD tackle I just didn’t see it as either arm being involved, more that one was down by his side.

Ireland's demise has more to do with elderly players, lack of gas and skill in a few key positions and blinkered coaching than with a Lions hangover.
Their Lions stint did not seem to affect Russell, Jones, Tuipilotu too adversley yesterday.

[Which Tyler]

Their Lions stint did not seem to affect Russell, ... too adversley yesterday.

Certainly has been at club level.
Which doesn't mean he can't get up for the one match a year he always gets up for

[FKAS]

Their Lions stint did not seem to affect Russell, ... too adversley yesterday.

Certainly has been at club level.
Which doesn't mean he can't get up for the one match a year he always gets up for

There was also much lamenting of Scotland's form in the Autumn and Vs Italy.

[Spiffy]

I just don't buy this Lions hangover stuff as a lame excuse for a convincing loss.
We heard nothing about the hangover effect on the England team when they were busy humping Wales last week.
Maybe it only kicks in when they lose

[Which Tyler]

It's more about... all the games they've played for club or country this season, and the same 4,8,12,16,20,24 and 28 years ago, just off the top of my head. And then looking at them in the round.
Not about any individual match in any of those years

[p/d]

I just don't buy this Lions hangover stuff as a lame excuse for a convincing loss.
We heard nothing about the hangover effect on the England team when they were busy humping Wales last week.
Maybe it only kicks in when they lose

Indeed Spiffy.

Earl is as annoying and enthusiastic now as he was before

[p/d]

Different level stuff from France. Great for the neutral.

Wasn’t it just!!! Heads up rugby with no shortage of skill and physicality

[Danno]

Dupont has male pattern baldness coming through.

Hah! That's one thing I have over him!

I bet he's got the cash to get the Wayne Rooney treatment.

That Vogue dressing gown cover alone would have done it

[Danno]

Different level stuff from France. Great for the neutral.

Wasn’t it just!!! Heads up rugby with no shortage of skill and physicality

I actually thought it looked pretty headless in the 2nd half. They knew the game was won and just chucked it about. Says more about Wales than France really, but there was no gameplan beyond 'hahaha let's score some more'

[FKAS]

Different level stuff from France. Great for the neutral.

Wasn’t it just!!! Heads up rugby with no shortage of skill and physicality

I actually thought it looked pretty headless in the 2nd half. They knew the game was won and just chucked it about. Says more about Wales than France really, but there was no gameplan beyond 'hahaha let's score some more'

That's how they played most the game. There's obviously a big emphasis on keeping the ball alive and trying to pull the defence out of structure so you can create a break and flood through in support. It's pretty seat of your pants stuff though. I wonder if they'll bring more structure back in or whether they'll keep rolling with it as a game plan. Having two lock sized backrows in at lock certainly helps.

[Spiffy]

I just don't buy this Lions hangover stuff as a lame excuse for a convincing loss.
We heard nothing about the hangover effect on the England team when they were busy humping Wales last week.
Maybe it only kicks in when they lose

Indeed Spiffy.

Earl is as annoying and enthusiastic now as he was before

Yes. It used to be that I could not stand Earl. I still do not find him at the top of my like list. But to give him his due, he has ditched some of the extreme theatrics and played himself on to the England team on merit with some very consistent performances as confirmed by his match stats, so fair play to him. His strong running and great engine bring a lot to the team.
Still, the back row of Pepper, Earl and Underhill has something of an unbalanced look to it. And Tom Curry does not look quite the player he was - perhaps a tad overweight, less mobile and maybe a little element of thuggery creeping into his play.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Dupont has male pattern baldness coming through.

Hah! That's one thing I have over him!

Said the same thing!

[Epaminondas Pules]

I’m loving twitter blaming Arundell for Genge not taking that ball for Ben White’s score!

[p/d]

I just don't buy this Lions hangover stuff as a lame excuse for a convincing loss.
We heard nothing about the hangover effect on the England team when they were busy humping Wales last week.
Maybe it only kicks in when they lose

Indeed Spiffy.

Earl is as annoying and enthusiastic now as he was before

Yes. It used to be that I could not stand Earl. I still do not find him at the top of my like list. But to give him his due, he has ditched some of the extreme theatrics and played himself on to the England team on merit with some very consistent performances as confirmed by his match stats, so fair play to him. His strong running and great engine bring a lot to the team.
Still, the back row of Pepper, Earl and Underhill has something of an unbalanced look to it. And Tom Curry does not look quite the player he was - perhaps a tad overweight, less mobile and maybe a little element of thuggery creeping into his play.

Yep. Grudgingly starting to like Earl. Just how to get him and Pollock (has to start) working in tandem

[SixAndAHalf]

Watching France I wonder have we underused CCS recently? I like Coles but having CCS on the bench can add some real power which we lack. I’d probably start him next to Chessum with Itoje on the bench.

[SixAndAHalf]

Watching France I wonder have we underused CCS recently? I like Coles but having CCS on the bench can add some real power which we lack. I’d probably start him next to Chessum with Itoje on the bench.

[SixAndAHalf]

Watching France I wonder have we underused CCS recently? I like Coles but having CCS on the bench can add some real power which we lack. I’d probably start him next to Chessum with Itoje on the bench.

[SixAndAHalf]

Watching France I wonder have we underused CCS recently? I like Coles but having CCS on the bench can add some real power which we lack. I’d probably start him next to Chessum with Itoje on the bench.

[p/d]

Blimey sixAndaHalf, how many times did you watch France!!

[SixAndAHalf]

Blimey sixAndaHalf, how many times did you watch France!!

You might mean how many pints did I have watching France!?

(It never showed the post as submitted!)

[Galfon]

...Stick or twist? I think change of approach and balance is required.

He doesn't seem the sort to change his approach but balance did seem askew on Sat.He would have grabbed a scruffy win to allow him to 'Carry On Regardless' but unfortunately got 'Up the Khyber'.
Now in jeopardy street you'd think he would call on a few Lions playing in normal positions ( Curry, Freeman at wing, & Smith M. in 23 for more attacking options late on) Pepper has probably done enough to stay.
Starting props were very impressive in the scrum for entire period together. Itoje must be mentally adrift a tadge after his loss which is enough at top-level to affect outcomes, so maybe bench again.
Ford had an off day, which means in his side 11, 12, 13, 15 probably spells 'T-h-o-r-n' in some secret back move code. ..
George is a capable skip & LCD well versed as impact sub.

Ish..