Team v Scotland - Announced!

[Puja]

We look rusty and a bit out of sorts - so many occasions where players are looking for someone on their shoulder, or looking for the pull-back but someone's run the wrong line and got in the way (or charging up in defence and leaving a massive hole, or screwing up defensive spacing, for example) - but that's all to be expected from such a limited training time and new systems.

What's pleasing is that we look like we're here to play rugby and are doing things other than trying to outman the opposition with our muscles or play safe and wait for their mistakes.

Good half and, looked at on the stats, one we've dominated. Two defensive screw-ups leading to two tries, plus 4 points of easy kicks missed. Could quite easily be 17-0 up on another day.

Puja

[fivepointer]

2 shocking tries to concede but we've scored 2 good ones and looked sharp and inventive in attack. I like the attitude and the intent.
Coming back and taking the lead before h/t was fully deserved and reward for showing some ambition.

[Epaminondas Pules]

We’ve looked good, imo. We’ve given away a couple of crap penalties and 2 awful defensive mistakes. But we’ve played the game in the right places and with the right intensity

For a large part we’ve played very slowly with static runners. We started brightly. Then hit attacking treacle. And then finished with pace and found it actually worked.

I’ve spent most of the half shouting at JVP to get the ball out and for the forwards to get into position.

Have you noticed he's looking for Smith? Smith is calling which sides to go and where he wants the ball but either JVP is struggling to hear him or Smith isn't making the calls early enough. That relationship seemed to improve over the half, whether an adjustment was made or not I'm not sure.

Yes there did seem confusion of direction. I’d also add that our clearances have got better, but momentum of carry and quick balls does that.

Latterly Farrell seems to be in 10 a lot more than not.

[Mr Mwenda]

We’ve actually woken up. Fuck me!

Out of context, this reads strangely...

[Oakboy]

Lawrence must come on before too long. Will SB have the balls to bring him on for Farrell, though?

[Stom]

On replay, the try wasn't equally Marchant and Farrell. Farrell is more to blame, imo, and I'm not just saying that from a Quins pov.

[Stom]

Lawrence must come on before too long. Will SB have the balls to bring him on for Farrell, though?

If he does, that would make the biggest improvement to our game... maybe we'll get the better kicker then, too...

Farrell's tee kicking has been poor for a while.

[Freddo]

Advantage over? How often does that happen any more.

[FKAS]

Advantage over? How often does that happen any more.

It was for a knock on.

[Stom]

The line out has been crap so far

[Mr Mwenda]

Camera man is desperate to get a shot of h-c's fingernails!

[Puja]

Advantage over? How often does that happen any more.

It was for a knock on.

No, it was for a penalty for the Scot taking someone out in the air. Wasn't terrible call - the pen was 40m out and the ball ended up pinned on the Scots line. Seemed fair.

Puja

[Puja]

Genge just utterly humiliated the Scots tighthead there. Won the engage, got him in an awkward position, then waited patiently until the ball was in before burying him.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

On replay, the try wasn't equally Marchant and Farrell. Farrell is more to blame, imo, and I'm not just saying that from a Quins pov.

Disagree. As the outside man it’s your job to take the correct position off the inside man. Farrell at fault due to the usual slow feet and poor angles.

[FKAS]

Advantage over? How often does that happen any more.

It was for a knock on.

No, it was for a penalty for the Scot taking someone out in the air. Wasn't terrible call - the pen was 40m out and the ball ended up pinned on the Scots line. Seemed fair.

Puja

I thought I heard the ref say "advantage over for the knock".

[Puja]

On replay, the try wasn't equally Marchant and Farrell. Farrell is more to blame, imo, and I'm not just saying that from a Quins pov.

Disagree. As the outside man it’s your job to take the correct position off the inside man. Farrell at fault due to the usual slow feet and poor angles.

Seconded that it was more Marchant's fault. Farrell couldn't go wider without leaving gaps on the inside and Marchant has to set based on the inside man.

Puja

[Mr Mwenda]

Dombrandt now blowing cold after a bit of hot, eh.

[Puja]

Dombrandt redeeming himself. Really nice try from us - a succession of very quick rucks and hard runs to bend the defence. Loving what we're building so far.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

How did he get through in the first place?
Then brilliant step

[Puja]

Oh, Ben Curry. That's not making the highlights reel. Shocking missed tackle - went up hard when he was supposed to be the guard on the ruck. Got excited by the loose ball.

Puja

[Galfon]

All stems from restart fumble..soft score, another missed tackle too..

[Stom]

Now we know who’s the better curry, eh?

[Mellsblue]

Is this the ultimate Dombrandt match? Boom or bust personified.

[Puja]

Now we know who’s the better curry, eh?

In fairness, I'm willing to bet Tom made a fair few mistakes like that in his second cap too.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Oh, Ben Curry. That's not making the highlights reel. Shocking missed tackle - went up hard when he was supposed to be the guard on the ruck. Got excited by the loose ball.

Puja

Afaik, that makes him world class and England captain.