Scotland vs England - Sat 4.40pm

[Danno]

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.

Their back five is basically five locks at the moment. All hail the new(ish) SA!(ish)

[Mikey Brown]

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.

Fair shout that Ireland have been on the older/slower side as a team for a while now (though generally so well drilled that it didn't matter) but I doubt they have truly become this poor so quickly. All I'm saying is the extra miles in the legs for most of your forward pack (letalone the mental toll) probably won't be helping that picture.

Of course these guys will still be able to perform, certainly in one-off games, but I don't think we've ever seen a Lions tour that didn't result in a significant slump for some of the touring players in the season after.

It will be very interesting to see how fired up these two teams can get for this one.

[FKAS]

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.

Their back five is basically five locks at the moment. All hail the new(ish) SA!(ish)

More like five 8s. The carrying ability and skillset in the that back five of the scrum is crazy. As you say they are all monsters as well. It's a different take on the physicality arms race but it certainly adds to their attack.

[Banquo]

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.

Their back five is basically five locks at the moment. All hail the new(ish) SA!(ish)

? Not really. They are playing lightweight mobile locks- ollivon is doing a great job to be fair, but he’s a worldie. Better sides than Wales will expose that imo, but if they get enough ball and space they’ll embarrass any defence

[p/d]

But France are building strength in depth to compete in an arm wrestle or exploit the chaos.
Also reckon they have one of the best kick/chase games.

[francoisfou]

But France are building strength in depth to compete in an arm wrestle or exploit the chaos.
Also reckon they have one of the best kick/chase games.

They don’t, however, appear to have proven strength in depth at prop. Dorian Aldeghiri hasn’t been convincing this season, either for France or Toulouse, and neither has Cyrille Baille. Elsewhere, we all know what LBB does week in week out, but Theo Attisogbe has made a real impact at Test level, and good enough to oust Penaud.

[Banquo]

But France are building strength in depth to compete in an arm wrestle or exploit the chaos.
Also reckon they have one of the best kick/chase games.

Possibly, though see earlier prop point. They have a shed load of big back rows tho. They'll be disappointed that Wales broke the gainline so often though....mind they failed to do so more times .
They do have a sh8t ton of great individuals, and we....don't.

[Banquo]

But France are building strength in depth to compete in an arm wrestle or exploit the chaos.
Also reckon they have one of the best kick/chase games.

but Theo Attisogbe ... good enough to oust Penaud.

I'm not sure he is actually,(though he has ) he looked very naive at times yesterday, and that in a dominent side.

[francoisfou]

But France are building strength in depth to compete in an arm wrestle or exploit the chaos.
Also reckon they have one of the best kick/chase games.

but Theo Attisogbe ... good enough to oust Penaud.

I'm not sure he is actually,(though he has ) he looked very naive at times yesterday, and that in a dominent side.

He’s a talented and enthusiastic young’un in my humble opinion, with a definite Test future, and I believe that Galthié will stick with him for the rest of the 6N.

[Danno]

but Theo Attisogbe ... good enough to oust Penaud.

I'm not sure he is actually,(though he has ) he looked very naive at times yesterday, and that in a dominent side.

He’s a talented and enthusiastic young’un in my humble opinion, with a definite Test future, and I believe that Galthié will stick with him for the rest of the 6N.

I don't understand how he's leapfrogged Penaud, unless Damien and Galthié have fallen out. Not that it's mattered to France so far.

[francoisfou]

I'm not sure he is actually,(though he has ) he looked very naive at times yesterday, and that in a dominent side.

He’s a talented and enthusiastic young’un in my humble opinion, with a definite Test future, and I believe that Galthié will stick with him for the rest of the 6N.

I don't understand how he's leapfrogged Penaud, unless Damien and Galthié have fallen out. Not that it's mattered to France so far.

Don’t think Galthié was impressed when Penaud was made to look a tw@t by Henry Pollock when Saints were hammered by UBB. But there’s a rumour that a few players are a bit pi$$ed off with Galthié.

[Banquo]

but Theo Attisogbe ... good enough to oust Penaud.

I'm not sure he is actually,(though he has ) he looked very naive at times yesterday, and that in a dominent side.

He’s a talented and enthusiastic young’un in my humble opinion, with a definite Test future, and I believe that Galthié will stick with him for the rest of the 6N.

Oh I agree, definitely got X factor. Just don’t think he’s yet better than Penaud.

[Slater582]

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

Just been reading an interview with Keith Wood in the Guardian today:

In the year after a Lions series, every player that went on that tour is wrecked [Ireland supplied 15 members of the 38-man squad]. It takes a huge amount out of you physically and mentally so Ireland look a bit jaded and flat.

[p/d]

I'm not sure he is actually,(though he has ) he looked very naive at times yesterday, and that in a dominent side.

He’s a talented and enthusiastic young’un in my humble opinion, with a definite Test future, and I believe that Galthié will stick with him for the rest of the 6N.

Oh I agree, definitely got X factor. Just don’t think he’s yet better than Penaud.

But that is what I like. Don’t pick a proven player and learn nothing, develop a talented youngster and learn something.

[LongForgotten]

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

I don't know if it's on Arundel specifically but it shouldn't have been a prop having to field that. Even if he had taken it there didn't seem to be much support.

[Mellsblue]

He’s a talented and enthusiastic young’un in my humble opinion, with a definite Test future, and I believe that Galthié will stick with him for the rest of the 6N.

Oh I agree, definitely got X factor. Just don’t think he’s yet better than Penaud.

But that is what I like. Don’t pick a proven player and learn nothing, develop a talented youngster and learn something.

Like button pressed. The same discussion was had over LBB and look how that turned out…

[Mellsblue]

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

I don't know if it's on Arundel specifically but it shouldn't have been a prop having to field that. Even if he had taken it there didn't seem to be much support.

Defence was a serious mess at times. Genge shouldn’t really be put in that position nor Itoje to mark Huw Jones as last man.

[p/d]

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

I don't know if it's on Arundel specifically but it shouldn't have been a prop having to field that. Even if he had taken it there didn't seem to be much support.

Defence was a serious mess at times. Genge shouldn’t really be put in that position nor Itoje to mark Huw Jones as last man.

sadly I think both Underhill and Pepper fell off Russell. Up to that point he was running down a dead end. Mind you I might be totally wrong on that as I spent most of the first half wondering why Heyes was wearing Harry Randall's shorts.

[Mellsblue]

I don't know if it's on Arundel specifically but it shouldn't have been a prop having to field that. Even if he had taken it there didn't seem to be much support.

Defence was a serious mess at times. Genge shouldn’t really be put in that position nor Itoje to mark Huw Jones as last man.

sadly I think both Underhill and Pepper fell off Russell. Up to that point he was running down a dead end. Mind you I might be totally wrong on that as I spent most of the first half wondering why Heyes was wearing Harry Randall's shorts.

Same old p/d, sartorial elegance before sporting performance, and rightly so.

[Banquo]

He’s a talented and enthusiastic young’un in my humble opinion, with a definite Test future, and I believe that Galthié will stick with him for the rest of the 6N.

Oh I agree, definitely got X factor. Just don’t think he’s yet better than Penaud.

But that is what I like. Don’t pick a proven player and learn nothing, develop a talented youngster and learn something.

Do that when the option is meh, Penaud is not meh. Besides, you like Snowballs and Sherry.

That said, i can get onboard with anyone ahead of Spencer, Steward and Roebuck tbh. And that washed up has been Marcus Smith.

[p/d]

Defence was a serious mess at times. Genge shouldn’t really be put in that position nor Itoje to mark Huw Jones as last man.

sadly I think both Underhill and Pepper fell off Russell. Up to that point he was running down a dead end. Mind you I might be totally wrong on that as I spent most of the first half wondering why Heyes was wearing Harry Randall's shorts.

Same old p/d, sartorial elegance before sporting performance, and rightly so.

All about standards Mells. Feel smart, play smart!!!

[p/d]

That said, i can get onboard with anyone ahead of Spencer, Steward and Roebuck tbh. And that washed up has been Marcus Smith.

Helmet on head ready for incoming.......

[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

Just been reading an interview with Keith Wood in the Guardian today:

In the year after a Lions series, every player that went on that tour is wrecked [Ireland supplied 15 members of the 38-man squad]. It takes a huge amount out of you physically and mentally so Ireland look a bit jaded and flat.

In Woods's day I think the tours were significantly longer and the players less fit.. Also, from clips we see and accounts we read, there seems to have been a lot of heavy boozing going on, which would certainly take its toll. Currently many Lions will play only 2-3 games on tour.

[Banquo]

That said, i can get onboard with anyone ahead of Spencer, Steward and Roebuck tbh. And that washed up has been Marcus Smith.

Helmet on head ready for incoming.......

Indeed...

[astralweeks]

Sad to see that Stephen Jones made a miraculous return to the Sunday Times. Gave him another chance to have a rant about Pollock.

"England must make changes. They must stop playing what they think is a joker but is actually a joke. Henry Pollock made his traditional late appearance yesterday but arriving against a dreadful welsh team with the match already won is one challenge. To come on to try and save the match against a rampaging scotland is something else"

What the feck is that arsehole on . He is just unpleasant. I'm pretty sure he's there just to wind me up just like alison pearson in the torygraph