England v Scotland

[Mikey Brown]

I wonder if Odogwu and Williams have managed to have a chat about the Covid hoax.

[Raggs]

I wonder if Odogwu and Williams have managed to have a chat about the Covid hoax.

Hadn't even thought of that when I was watching. Some awkward pauses you'd think perhaps.

[morepork]

This is wrong. So wrong.

[Puja]

I wonder if Odogwu and Williams have managed to have a chat about the Covid hoax.

I still remain amazed that Williams is allowed in the squad with those opinions, given how strict all the COVID bubble protections have to be. I'd imagine a coach has had stern words with him.

I love those behind the scenes videos. Fun to see Willis absolutely dominating the ball-ripping games. Can see Tom West going back to Wasps as twice the player that left.

Puja

[Raggs]

I wonder if Odogwu and Williams have managed to have a chat about the Covid hoax.

I still remain amazed that Williams is allowed in the squad with those opinions, given how strict all the COVID bubble protections have to be. I'd imagine a coach has had stern words with him.

I love those behind the scenes videos. Fun to see Willis absolutely dominating the ball-ripping games. Can see Tom West going back to Wasps as twice the player that left.

Puja

Me too on the Willis things , there was one last time round where it was all pairs, except 2 trying to get the ball of Willis . Not sure about twice the player on West, but definitely hoping for a boost, but I already like him a lot, if he can learn more scrummaging, he could be ludicrously destructive.

[Digby]

Harsh on Obano

[Danno]

I wonder if Odogwu and Williams have managed to have a chat about the Covid hoax.

It's amazing what effect a 5-figure match fee will have on one's convictions and beliefs. Or at least one's gob.

[FKAS]

I wonder if Odogwu and Williams have managed to have a chat about the Covid hoax.

It's amazing what effect a 5-figure match fee will have on one's convictions and beliefs. Or at least one's gob.

Yeah I was thinking the same. That much cash in the pocket and the chance to wear and England journey helps one to toe the line.

[Peej]

It's kind of amazing how much goes in to making rugby even remotely viable in the current circumstances. I hope some of the amateur clubs see this and give up on the idea of playing any meaningful rugby this season.

Do you think you can read anything into the green and yellow bib drills?

[Raggs]

It's kind of amazing how much goes in to making rugby even remotely viable in the current circumstances. I hope some of the amateur clubs see this and give up on the idea of playing any meaningful rugby this season.

Do you think you can read anything into the green and yellow bib drills?

Don't think you can read much into it, too many from all over the squads in different colour bibs.

[Peej]

Also interesting to see how much of a voice and a leader Youngs has. Not surprising given his 100 caps obviously, but it's clear he's massively rated by everyone.

[Adam_P]

I wonder if Odogwu and Williams have managed to have a chat about the Covid hoax.

I was concerned when I read this comment that Paolo had also gone the way of the dense Cheifs lot. Thankfully not!

[Mikey Brown]

England: Daly; Watson, Slade, Lawrence, May; Farrell (capt), Youngs; Genge, George, Stuart, Itoje, Hill, Wilson, Curry, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Obano, Williams, Lawes, Earl, Robson, Ford, Malins.

[twitchy]

Squidge jinxed it with his video.

[Mikey Brown]

Good to see Lawrence at 12, no 6:2 and no ducking about with Lawes at 6 or Wilson pretending to play 7.

Farrell at 10 at least had a more balanced centre pairing outside.

[TheNomad]

England: Daly; Watson, Slade, Lawrence, May; Farrell (capt), Youngs; Genge, George, Stuart, Itoje, Hill, Wilson, Curry, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Obano, Williams, Lawes, Earl, Robson, Ford, Malins.

Solid selection, really. Given everything else going on, you can see the merit in continuity.

- Long term I slightly feel Malins will over take Daly, but for now it makes sense
- I think Wilson over Willis is wrong, but while Wilson won't win man of the match, he won't let you down
- I'd have preferred Ford at 10, but I recognise that won't happen
- I like that Lawrence is at 12: I think he's the one to take a bet on there, and I think we could really bring something else to the side in that position
- Bench looks good too

So generally I don't think we can grumble much about that

[fivepointer]

Aside from Farrell at 10, there's a lot to like about this line up. Chances for Lawrence, Hill and the props to start, a balanced back row, Obano to debut off the bench where we have some serious impact available.

[Galfon]

I like that Lawrence is at 12: I think he's the one to take a bet on there, and I think we could really bring something else to the side in that position

Agree.
Apart from his physicality he has rare all-round talent - could have gone in any of rugby/soccer/cricket (bat & ball) direction from teenager, fortunately went for the oval ball.
Hope he gets some ball to use.

[Peej]

From Wasps' perspective, it's terrible as three key players for us aren't involved at all. And therefore will be even more rusty when they do finally get a chance.

I'm not surprised by Farrell over Ford, but it is depressing.

[jimKRFC]

Hope he gets some ball to use.

It seems unlikely...
To me it's a side picked to contain Scotland and with a view that they can win with defence rather than looking to make Scotland think about Englands attacking running play.

[Peej]

I think that side could struggle at the breakdown a bit if Scotland pick Watson and Ritchie

[switchskier]

Hope he gets some ball to use.

It seems unlikely...
To me it's a side picked to contain Scotland and with a view that they can win with defence rather than looking to make Scotland think about Englands attacking running play.

It looks like a side picked to out-muscle us to start with and then cut loose later on when the opposition are tired. Suspect it will work too as long as the build a lead early.

[Mikey Brown]

Scotland: Hogg (capt); Maitland, Harris, Redpath, Van der Merwe, Russell, Price; Sutherland, Turner, Z Fagerson, Cummings, J Gray, Ritchie, Watson, M Fagerson.

Replacements: Cherry, Kebble, WP Nel, R Gray, Graham, Steele, Van der Walt, Jones

Happy enough with this side from a Scotland perspective given lack of options at hooker. No idea Gray senior still has the legs, no Darcy Graham and VdW isn’t very good, but there’s some quality in there.

[Beasties]

Better than feared so yay. As much as I admire Wilson I'm not sure what Eddie's waiting for exactly with Willis.

[Oakboy]

Hope he gets some ball to use.

It seems unlikely...
To me it's a side picked to contain Scotland and with a view that they can win with defence rather than looking to make Scotland think about Englands attacking running play.

It looks like a side picked to out-muscle us to start with and then cut loose later on when the opposition are tired. Suspect it will work too as long as the build a lead early.

If only (dreaming again) we could look forward to, say, a 50 minute change with Robson, Ford and Earl coming on for Youngs, Farrell and Billy V i.e. pace and open rugby to take full advantage of the tired opposition.