Jon – I had heard he was doing well in France. Is he getting an armchair ride behind a dominant pack or is he creating from scraps?

Maybe it will be the making of him. I think playing for Newcastle for so long did him no favours and all the injuries have been a real shame for him.

I'd still rather have cipriani or flood. Just I prefer the unpredictable and exciting element. Sort of like Townsend for Scotland was – You knew he would both create and give away tries. You just had to hope he created more than he gave away.

More of an armchair when I've seen him, TJ. I don't think he'll get that from England at the mo.

Personally I think Cips is truly terrible – I'd hate to see him play for my own team (Ospreys). For all those inspired moves, he can really put his team into trouble. I think Geraghty would fit in to the Welsh way of playing. Flood is just boringly competent, which isn't a bad thing.

None of them are particularly good under pressure though.

Scotland need to get back to the 'slow march out of the tunnel' days. Perhaps with success of Edinburgh and Glasgow this season they might be getting there, and Robinson is nobody's fool.

You get the feel of "almost there" from Scotland but I am tired of "gallant defeats" The lack of a decent standoff is costing dear. Couple of youngsters coming thru but they are not ready yet. Why have Scotland got about 6 real good back row players and 6 scrum halves but no standoff?

I fear Robinson is going to be too conservative – I didn't want him as coach. the players seem to really like him tho. I'd like to see some innovative tactics to get round the standoff problem but I don' think he is the man for that.

Been there and seen it with Wales, TJ. It's not nice.

Having said that, at the mo England are making exactly the same mistakes that Wales made 10 years ago. Sacking coaches, buying in League 'talent', southern hemisphere players, etc. At some point they'll abandon their premiership teams and form regional sides and then realise that nobody watches regions…..

A_A, I'd agree, just curious what you thought. Good player for the future. Now, how about Shane at 15? 😀

Stade Incompétent

FR R Ford
FR G Jenkins
FR M Cas'giovanni
SR A Kellock
SR P O'Connell
BR T Dusautoir
BR M Williams
BR R Jones
SH JB Elissalde
FH R O'Gara
C B O'Driscoll
C M Bastareaud
OB T Bowe
OB T Evans
OB M Cueto

I dont expect to see Paterson start any of the games. Looks likely that Godman will get the nod which is unfortunate.

G Jenkins
L Mears
D Szarzewski
AW Jones
P O'Connell
I Harinordoquy
S Ferris
L Moody
T O'Leary
J Wilkinson
J Roberts
B O'Driscoll
T Evans
C Poitrenaud
U Monye
Unsure about Monye, may change to shaun w.
Also, I'm not up to date with regards to form which I blame on the woeful coverage of rugby we get on the telly here in england. Maybe I should read more. Tempted to put some more frenchmen in the side, ouedrago(sp)etc, very good players should be maturing nicely.
I see that dan ward smith has made the england team as cover. I really hope he gets a chance, hes a great bloke and a fearsome player.

I think Godman will get the nod too unfortunately, though one bad game and Parks will be in. I don't agree with it, but I can see it happening.

Agreed. Especially with Gethin "I'm a sprinter really" Jenkins on the park! Like having an extra 7.

Scotland:
Paterson;
S Lamont,
M Evans,
Morrison,
T Evans;
Godman,
Cusiter (capt);
Dickinson,
Ford,
Lowe,
Kellock,
Hines,
K Brown,
Beattie,
Barclay.
Replacements:
S Lawson,
Jacobsen,
Gray,
MacDonald,
R Lawson,
Grove,
Southwell.

😯 Well thats a surprise and a good one. Robinson with adventurous picks? No place for desperate Dan?

Is that the fastest team position for position in the 6N?

My spirits have risen and the championship is on.

Edit. If you think Jenkins the prop is fast wait until you see dickinson. The fastest Prop in the world. Scotland will rule the breakdown! @cos as well as a good back row the whole pack are fast.

Oooooooh hark at her? saucer of cream for CFH.

I wish that the stats were available for all players 40 m time. I think it would be interesting.

Scotland are weakened for the lack of Strokosch but Brown Beattie and Barclay are not poor players. We do also sneak in an extra back row in Ford :-)( even if he is a hobbit)

I’m still disgusted with the amount of Kiwis playing for England especially one that has represented NZ in League and Fluety who lets face it is a carpet bagger who spent barely enough time in the country to qualify and then departed to France for a bigger payday. How is he English in any sense of the word?

I know other countries have selected people using the these rules but England have double the number of senior players of the other 5 nations put together.

Which bridge did you find Backhander under? 🙄

I'm off to Murrayfield this weekend, usual mixture of hope/apprehension that won't be calmed until kick off on Sunday. Taking a frenchman with us too, could be a mistake… The great thing about the French is that you never know which team will turn up, the one full of flair and invention or the one trying desperately to implode. I'm hoping for the latter!

Which bridge did you find Backhander under?

who the **** are you? wind your neck in gobby.
I think I'm going to enjoy watching that game a lot more than you are.

CFH – I would say to leave England to it, though, as Flutey is nothing special and Shontayne Hape again looks very average on the occasions I've seen him.

I said a few days ago that Wales made these mistakes years ago, it amuses me hugely to watch England do the same.

Lads there are a few Irish players in those Fantasy teams who might not be the best choices. Ferris is injured for at least one game and Stringer is dropped out of the squad and likely to stay that way.

Hartley is also likely to feature ahead of Fat Tommo/Mears, O'Gara may well be dropped when Sexton regains fitness, and one of the Scottish props, Murray I think, won't play Sundays so will miss at last 1 game. Also heard a rumour Gethin Jenkins is injured but haven't seen any press.