6N squad - starting team

[General Zod]

I like Harris, but would start Tuipolotu and Jones just for the chaos they could cause by swapping about and being fed by Russell. However, I think Toony will maybe wait until later in the match to do that.

I also think he will start Steyn on the wing and Crosbie will make the bench at least.

So there.

Not too bad, Zod. Good call on Steyn!

[septic 9]

I mean that’s definitely it with Harris, but it’s understandable to a degree when so many other parts of our game have fallen apart that you might want to cling on to your fantastic defender.

I still can’t get my head around not including Redpath in any 23, particularly with the limitations of the other three centres, but this is a fairly brave selection so I’ll settle for it. Praying for Jones to put in a good defensive showing and assure the coaches they can ditch Harris. How have him and ST been lining up in defence for Glasgow?

I'd have Redpath ahead of Harris, but at least we have 2 attackers starting
Tuipolotu and Jones haven't played that much together. Think both times I remember Jones has worn the 12 shirt but they mix it up and only sometimes line up that way like when Tuipolotu acts as first receiver for the 10 to look round.

BTW if you think Tuipoltu is limited, you haven't watched him this season, He has been showing the complete set of skills you'd want from any centre - way more than bash it up - bit of pace, great hands and ability to draw and pass, made tries from really clever grubbers, huge clearance boot

[Mikey Brown]

I didn’t say he’s just bashing it up. Get a grip.

[septic 9]

I didn’t say he’s just bashing it up. Get a grip.

you mentioned the limitations of the other 3 centres. Harris we all know what his many limitations are; Jones has his defensive queries. What are Tuipoltu's deficiencies?

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah he’s come on a lot. I was just generalising.

I wasn’t particularly convinced about his vision/passing when he first appeared, he’s definitely shown more of that for Glasgow and I’d hope he can bring it to Scotland. I feel like both Russell and Jones have worked best in the past with a second playmaking voice and long, accurate passing/kicking option. I just didn’t really see him as that, and not quite having the vision or time on the ball of Redpath.

He’s definitely put in a few neat grubbers recently and has really tidied up his passing/timing when stood in the dummy 10 slot. Not seen much in the way of clearances but that’s good if he can do that too.

[Cameo]

Ballsy team and I like it. I just hope we stick with this centre partnership for 2/3 games whatever happens.

Very keen to see how Crosbie gets on too.

The main downside is it seems Fagerson wasn't fit enough after all.

[Cameo]

And the England team.

Genge
George
Sinckler
Itoje
Chessum
Ludlam
Curry
Dombrandt

Van Poortvliet
Smith
Hassell-Collins
Farrell (c)
Marchant
Malins
Steward

Bench: Walker, Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, Earl, Youngs, Lawrence, Watson.

Looks quite fresh and exciting. We shouldn't get overpowered but will be difficult to know what to plan for.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah, very interesting going in to this with no clue how much either team is intending to switch up their style.

[Cameo]

Been thinking about the team some more and, while Graham is a massive miss, I really like that backline. On paper at least it has a nice balance of creativity (Russell, Hogg, and Tuipolotu), pace/evasion (Jones, VDM, Jones), and power (Tuipolotu and VDM with Jones and Steyn also having a bit).

It might not all click and defence may (or may not) be an issue, but I'm excited.

As ever, a lot will come to how quick the ball they get is and whether we can get on the front foot.

[switchskier]

Iceman!

[Cameo]

Take that!

We seemed to slice all our clicks, inviting pressure, but when we got some phases we looked dangerous every time.

And...Duhan

[Cameo]

Shout-out for a nice performance off the bench from Kinghorn too!

[Big D]

Any BP away win is a great win.

Lots of good.

Lots of not so good. But always better to work on that when winning.

Thank feck ABZ is finally gone. Far better attacking play.

[switchskier]

Cracking game, really competitive and really enjoyed it. That try from Duhan will get played again and again but the final try was actually really beautifully done.

[Mikey Brown]

Fucking amazing.

Accurate passing in front of players who are actually running. Control and aggression in contact. Incisive running lines.

Not perfect by any stretch. A big patch in the second half we looked out of it but held on.

Lots of good performances to pick out from that. Great stuff from Kinghorn off the bench which was very welcome as maybe Jogg isn’t 100%

[Tobylerone]

Have to say that I found that match quite exciting at times.

[BaldiePete]

I’m fucking speechless. That was such a great performance and a well deserved win. Superb skills for Jones try and especially DVDMs 2nd try. What a pass by Ritchie Gray. As for DVDMs first try, that was immense and exactly why we have been picking him.

[Puja]

Well done today - you put us away and your attack was a joy to behold.

Puja

[francoisfou]

Have to say that i found that match quite exciting at times.

Me too, although it never quite reached fever-pitch.

[General Zod]

Magic. Just magic.

Now let’s pagger wales.

[Cameo]

One final point for now. England kicked better than us but I think they eased the pressure on us by kicking too much.

Two of our tries (I think) originated in our half. By contrast, England kicked it through about 3 times on our 22. Looks good on the territory stats, but if you don't counter attack (or just attack), you don't score from counter attacks (or attacks).

Ben Youngs' kick into our dead ball when they had advantage at the end was a delight to behold too. Players act like it doesn't matter what they do if they have advantage - he just wasted their free life.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Well done, really good game. Van der Merwe's first try was ridiculous, an all time classic!

[Mikey Brown]

One final point for now. England kicked better than us but I think they eased the pressure on us by kicking too much.

The kicking battle was pretty strange at times. Early on it seemed like we had a real plan to keep it in field and try to get England to run it back but they just didn’t.

Russell seemed to be revelling in drawing English defenders up on to him but not totally clear what the ploy was there. Did it open up space in some other way throughout the game? Not sure.

[Cameo]

I'm guessing he was just trying to commit defenders but they seemed to be targetting him and he did have to rush quite a few kicks.

It was strange to win with only two (I think - Hogg's and Ritchie's) turnovers. Normally, when we beat them, it's at least partly because we have made a mess of their rucks. That didn't happen this time - dunno how much that was the ref and how much the absence of Watson and Darge.

Also, too many aside's from me, Turner had a few big moments.

[stevedog1980]

I really like Turner but all our hookers (and Zander) seem to tackle without any attempt to wrap when defending close to the line, just a head in the spokes dive. I’m amazed we don’t get penalised for it