England Rugby/Six nations 2023

[wolf359]

Scot’s second try with a great run (some iffy tackling though).

[Pete647580]

Like watching a 16 year old against the under elevens.

[Macca1973]

Now Farrell’s kicking gone to crap!

[Macca1973]

Incredibly we lead at half time. Ireland and France will destroy these two teams if they can’t tackle.

[dasnutnock3]

Two poor sides, Scotland marginally better I reckon.

[dasnutnock3]

Scotland quite a lot better TBH.

[dasnutnock3]

England are proper rubbish. Need to drop Smith to the bench and get Farrell back to 10 and find a proper 12.

[Johnny Byrne's Boots]

No different to Jones.

[Loftyhammer]

Genuinely properly angry about that…still. Still same problem with ball in hand…lack of an understanding of what’s in front of us. Loads of ball…zero penetration (considering how much we had). A bit more pace but that was it. Felt very lightweight and 1-1 tackling utterly gash.

Farrell pissed me RIGHT off at the end…grinning like a twat saying we were “in the game”. It was Scotland…at home you chuffing prick!

Given fixtures, can see us getting just the 1 win this time round. No chance we’re beating France or Ireland anywhere…Wales away is an emotional nightmare…which leaves Italy at home.

Scotland had to do absolutely f*** all to win that game today

[Eggchaser]

What a load of old b*llocks.
If the team is being picked on form, how do both scrum halves come from Leicester?
They can't both be playing every week.

For the first hour the attacking play was ok, but England's defence was diabolical throughout.

[dave_l]

Smith and Farrell is the most boring debate in English sport since Lampard and Gerrard. One or the other, not both. Very disappointed the new setup has persisted with this.

Youngs should have been pensioned off a while ago. He was dire when he came on. One ball miles above Ludlum’s head and one at Smith’s feet. Kicked away good front foot ball. Itoje phoned it in all day. On the other hand Chessum looked good, another day Dombrandt doesn’t have feet for hands and gets a try from one of his delightful lines. Defence needs working on though, too easy for ‘Scotland’ to run the ball out and have plenty of numbers wide time after time.

Then again, a lot of damage to repair after the final couple of years of EJ’s reign. Scotland/SA B look well organised and have a solid game plan with a cracking 10.

[Johnny Byrne's Boots]

Matt Dawson on Smith/Farrell

Just to add to the debate, as it's so enjoyable.

[alf git]

As many questions as answers I'm afraid.

Discipline seemed mostly better and speed at the breakdown was a lot quicker, until Youngs made an appearance as others have said.

The tackling was almost non existent in some cases. You simply cannot afford to miss that many tackles. Then there's the 10/12 axis. Smiths either the future or he's not. Borthwick needs to s**t or get off the pot.

[Johnny Byrne's Boots]

Watching Italy v France, there's something happening that I also noticed in the other games this weekend, the referees are ending advanteges earlier than before, and I mean much earlier. Which is a good thing. Scrum advantages seem to last two phases at most, one if clean ball is won in the general area of the infringement. Penalties are the most noticeable, if there's no clear gain made within two or three phases the kick is called. No more waiting most of the half for a try to be scored to bring advantage to an end

[sendô]

Italians now leading France 24-22.

Theyve been good value for it too.

[dasnutnock3]

Italians now leading France 24-22.

Theyve been good value for it too.

French nudged ahead again but they aren’t having it all their way today. Italy’s beaten every other 6N side at least once (except England), and while they’re still a tier below the consistent top sides, I think they’ve been a great addition. I’d love to watch a game in Rome, seems a wonderful experience.

[alf git]

So near for Italy.
They look to be carrying on their good form from the Autumn internationals.
It's not going to be easy for England next week.

[DublinDave]

Fair play to Italy, pushed France to the wire.
Italy really need to cut out the silly mistakes though to really push on, they gifted France a 14 point lead within the first 10-15 minutes.
If they do cut out the mistakes, they'll give everyone a game, they've got some very good players...

[dasnutnock3]

Wonder if this could be the year they break their duck against England? Might be the kick up the arse Borthwick needs to make some serious changes, far too many established players are well below their best.

[Toulouse_Iron]

England are proper rubbish. Need to drop Smith to the bench and get Farrell back to 10 and find a proper 12.

Smith was the only player who looked capable of making something happen. Bin Farrell and find someone to partner Smith: Tuilagi maybe? Brain and brawn in the key pairing? The problem is that Farrell is captain and dropping him would make more noise than a purely tactical change would merit.

Maybe your idea is good if we want to open up a tiring opposition in on the 50 minute mark by dropping Farrell for Smith. I'd hate to see a fresh Smith come on if I was the opposition and beginning to feel a bit heavy in the legs....