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Who in that England team, ignoring yesterday’s performance, is genuinely world class apart from Itoje?
Scotland played well enough, but were against a team with Saracens players who aren’t playing any rugby and a team that couldn’t catch, couldn’t kick, struggled at the set piece and gave away 15 penalties. Much was self-inflicted and Scotland forced a lot of it, but with 70% possession and 68% territory, they scored 11 points and won by a single score...
And players not taking a knee before kick off
Markyboy-
I really struggle with Eddie Jones selection at times, I understand that he picks people who have done a job for him in the past, but he seems to completely ignore form.
I mean I might be slightly biased as a chiefs fan, but can anyone say that Vunipola was better than anything Sam Simmonds has done this year??
And where are the wasps players?
I think our 9-10 axis is incredibly predictable and quite frankly boring. I would love to see both Joe Simmonds and Marcus Smith given a go, completely different players, but both of them have a Plan A and B.
And genuinely why do we even bother having centres and wingers when we attack? Their job seems to be just to chase overcooked box kicks.
The thing is there is no way that Jones will change, he is too stubborn for it.
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but with 70% possession and 68% territory, they scored 11 points and won by a single score...
To be honest the fact that they ground out the win is a sign that things are starting to go right mentally for the Scotland team (this is by no means likely to last but as a long suffering fan I remain hopefull). Scotland played the percentage game well in conditions that deteriorated throughout the second half. Two years ago at 60 minutes in the same position they would have panicked that given the territory and possession they had they weren't on for a BP win; tried to force the game and would have subsequently gifted the match to England. The fact that they didn't and were confident enough to grind out a win away from home in tricky circumstances shows developing nous and maturity - something that we have missed for a long time, remember the 2015 quarter final against Aus? Instead of sticking it up their jumper for the final 2 minutes they for some reason tried to play flamboyant rugby that decision and some poor refereeing lost us a semi final spot having outplayed a team that went on to the final.
Sam_w
Bobbo
I disagree. England are so one-dimensional if you really take on their pack and power game they don't have the ability to problem solve on the field because of the way Jones has coached them. Ok it may not make make for a beautiful game, but England have world class players throughout their pack (even with Mako and Underhill missing) so you have to be more than just good to neutralise them, but Scotland dominated them up front (I don't remember England getting a single turnover at the breakdown?). They also kicked really well to pin England back in their own half and keep the pressure on. Scotland varied their game nicely too when required, e.g. England put pressure on Ali Price early on, after that he faked to box kick, passed the other way which let to Redpath making a line break. Agree that Scotland will get better. The Russell / Redpath partnership is going to be exciting to see develop.