Nearly a great try when North ran it from his own 22.
Warburton went for the line but maybe if he'd slowed up a touch and waited for Bowe (I think it was) who'd sprinted about 60yds in support it would have been a great try.
Owen Farrell displaying his limited rugby brain by continually trying a planned move that doesn't work.
Cuthbert looking a little suspect defensively.
I think Hogg has done ok, he has had a fair amount of ball to field , positioning has been good made his tackles. Perhaps need an experienced player to remind him he does not have to run everything.
North immense. Cuthbert not.
Not sure what stevens is bringing never looks up when ball in hand. Back row needs to show more as well.
Warbs has been poor, Stevens has made more turnovers! Farrell very limited, grey hasn't done much (AWJ for me), cuthbert exposed and Hogg doesn't have the running skill possessed by the likes of 1/2p, maitland or brown. He needs to learn he doesn't have the step or pace to beat people like they do. On the plus points, mako has been very good, bowe and north brilliant. The two youngs and faletau have been good.
Think Stevens is last choice prop on his side. he's in the squad as a different option, and emergency cover for the other side.
What were the other options? Ross or Murray really, both more pure scrummagers and not really "loose" players. Adam and Cole are always the top 2 so I can sort of see why he took an alternative option like stevens at third choice.
prety much agree with wrecker there. Hogg's being exposed in part by a lack of support from Cuthbert. He'd be better between Bowe and Maitland.
But, Gray makes the lineout a strength. And makes it a bit easier for our other hookers with their dodgy darts. Youngs is throwing well, but Hibbards in pole for the test. So Gray makes his job easier.
Stevens openly said he was surprised to get the call for the tour.
....as does parling. Trouble is, he's often largely anonymous around the park. I'd go POC and AWJ at the moment. Someone needs to make the decision for Farrell that he's a 12, not a 10. He's actually been quite good in the centre so far. Can cooper make a pass which isn't forward?
Yep. Agreed wrecker...he's an excellent 12! Warns not playing well then? We all know that I'm not a fan, but I find it hard to imagine the tour captain not starting the first test?
No-one could argue with POC, on form he's the best.
And AWJ is still world class despite his missed tackle.
Great game BTW.
Warbs playing like first game back from injury. He needs this for his match fitness. He'll be 100% better next time out.
Bowe possibly broken now, arm in sling hand strapped...nightmare
Cole is stuffing that lads head up his arse.
Good to watch (especially IH) but shame if Bowe is injured badly.
Hmm, even as and Englishman, I would normally prefer the physicality of Phillips, but Youngs had a good game there.
Shame that injury stopped us seeing Davies and Manu together.
Youngs is a good player but didnt play the round the corner pattern. Thats why the lions had no shape. Phillips for all his limitations runs the Gatland gameplan.
Yep, Manu was doing well.
Queensland reds have a new fan. Massive respect to them for not only making a game of it, but running the lions close with some very attractive rugby. Great stuff.
Yes, I still like Phillips!! Much more importantly, so does Gatts!!
Grey is the player who I think has really stepped up at the start of the tour, either that or I understimated just how good he was 😉 . Second row is tricky to call IMO.
Felt for the Ref, "Rolls away Reds" - sorry who do you mean!!
Ioum... What AWJ missed tackle? He wasnt playing today. If you mean for the Forces try the fault there lies with the 7.
[img] 
[/img]
You know the one 😉
Leo Cullen or Devon Toner would have made the tackle that W Jones missed. But he can't be blamed, it's about getting to know new players and patterns. It's a team game.
Lack of organisation for a scratch side against a quick tap, in a game that's won already.
It's something that will improve and nothing to really worry about.
Well I've already watched three full matches today (Jap/Wal, NZ/Fra and Reds/Lions) and number four is just under way. Samoa against the Jocks.
Blimey! Two tries to Samoa already and (unlike Wales) Scotland can't claim to have too many players missing on Lions' duty.
Would be more concerned about letting a Reds team set the pace and pattern of a game. Not quite dominate, but certainly edged large chunks ant made it very open. There was plenty of ocasion to be very thankful to North and Bowe for running us out of trouble and up the pitch.
Agree that the Lions lacked a bit of shape today, but it's extremely harsh to put that down to Youngs.
Outside of set pieces, the pack seemed to lack a bit of "go forward" compared to the other game. And It would be hard to claim we won the breakdown area.
Would that have happened with SOB and Heaslip making yards and braking tackles upfront?
It's difficult to say for me. Today's oppo's were a definite step up in class.
Things did improve a bit with the forward subs though.
namastebuzz - England v Argies BBC2 at 8pm for the full house 🙂
England v Argies BBC2 at 8pm for the full house
Well, before that there's SA/Italy at 1715 then after that there's USA/Ire at 0130 (!).
Not sure Heaslip and SOB would have made a lot of difference as they wouldnt have got the ball either. Youngs and Farrel did not play to the pattern. You could see the forwards running round the corner to blind side and youngs would be off open. Youngs managed to execute the game plan for five mins after half time and then lapsed again.
Hope Bowe recovers big loss if he goes.
Hogg forced it a bit too much 1/2p the safer option. Hogg tackled well though.
Cuthbert bit crap
Tuilagi got broken early
Davies did ok given the number of partners he had
Bowe and the North both very good
Farrel not great Sexton far better
youngs good individual poor at fitting the pattern.
Faletau needed a big game but too many errors
Warbs did ok
Lydiate tireless tackle monkey got better as the match went on
Grey excellent all round game
Parling good but POC stepped it up when he came on.
Stevens did well, much better than i expected
Youngs looked good
Vunipola best player on the pitch outstanding.
Ireland game counts as "tomorrow". 🙂
cracking team selection, considering the missing Lions, IMO.
[i]15 FB Robbie Henshaw
14 W Fergus McFadden
13 C Darren Cave
12 C Stuart Olding
11 W Simon Zebo
10 FH Ian Madigan
9 SH Isaac Boss
1 P Dave Kilcoyne
2 H Richardt Strauss
3 P Mike Ross
4 L Mike McCarthy
5 L Devin Toner
6 F Iain Henderson
7 F Chris Henry
8 N8 Peter O'Mahony
Replacements
16 Mike Sherry
17 Jamie Hagan
18 Tom Court
19 Dan Tuohy
20 Tommy O'Donnell
21 Paul Marshall
22 Paddy Jackson
23 Felix Jones[/i]
Quite excited to see how Wade goes for England tonight.
And the three young tens- Madigan, Burns and Heathcote make the Six nations look pretty exciting in the next few years. Wales have one too, I think, but they've gone for Biggar for now. 😉
Patchel could well displace Biggar in the not too distant future. Hopefully Priestland can get back healthy and on form too.
Ireland game counts as "tomorrow"
Yes but it's on Saturday in the US so that's good enough for me.
Enjoyed the Jap/Wal game. Couple of brilliant touches from Liam Williams including making the try for Robinson.
Patchell 😀
That's the fella.
[i]Not sure Heaslip and SOB would have made a lot of difference as they wouldnt have got the ball either. Youngs and Farrel did not play to the pattern.[/i]
I reckon they would.
Although Healy's generally the best for "pick and go" to bring a bit of shape and umph to the pattern. Big loss in that area.
Really rate Hibbard for that too, IMO Wales were crying out for a good close in ball carrying forward and he's really stepped up over the course of the last season or so. Don't think we'd have been so shapeless with any of them on (or AWJ and POC) Agree Mako's good enough too, but as the baby of the pack he needs a bit more confidence about how good he is before he starts taking responsibility when the SH's losing the plot.
But if the pattern's constantly being borked by your own half backs, where's the Captain to put them right?
Has he got to much on his plate getting his own form and fitness sorted?
Would POC, BOD, AWJ, maybe even Heaslip or Gethin let the half backs screw it up for 75 of the 80?
Sorry to say it, but Scotland aren't looking good. At all.
Yeah, they're currently putting on a fine demonstration of how NOT to tackle.
Warbs did ok
A bit generous IMO.
He didnt do much wrong IMO. Have to see how SOB or Tipuric do against decent opposition.
Zebo packing his bags?
Seems like Bowe is screwed.... DO NOT WANT TO SEE CUTHBERT AT 14
Although Healy's generally the best for "pick and go" to bring a bit of shape and umph to the pattern
thats a good point also, would have liked to see the tight five pick and go down the middle. AW Jones is good in this regard.
Zebo packing his bags?
Sean Lamont surely? 😆
Sean Lamont
🙂
Ouch!
Peter Horne's not gonna forget his international debut.
Much in the same way that Rod Davies didn't....
Lamont looked good compared to his teammates today which says a lot about the scotland performance could not tackle or pass under pressure.
He didnt do much[s] wrong[/s] IMO.
Strokosh looked good.
You should stop listenning to the agenda driven tripe spouted by that tit Barnes!!
Who? Sorry bud, I'm not sure what you're talking about.
On his day, warbs is excellent (and I don't say that lightly). He's only had 1 or 2 games in quite a while where he's been really good. He's still got plenty of opportunity to hit form, gats is always going to give him the benefit of the doubt. But if he doesn't hit form and still starts the tests it'll be unfair on tips and SOB.
Stuart, Aviva Premiership is the best, Barnes.
Ah, so not I'm a useless ref Barnes then?
Ah. Don't worry, I now have to tolerate Johnathon "one eyed" Davies now. Just what is he doing punditting an England game? I expect his contribution to be purely negative. He's nearly as bad as nicol.
Nicol is deluded, Wood**** is surprisingly good.
Woodward does have some balance, seems limited to him and wood though.
Oh, they're wearing that ****ing purple monstrosity again. 🙄
+1 on the awful pyjamas england are wearing
How to butcher an anthem 😆
