England v Scotland

Re: England v Scotland

Alan Tevendale — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:01:48 GMT

I know what you mean by suggesting getting the scrum over quickly but in all fairness shouldn't this part of the game have some form of competition in it. Obviously the side putting the ball in should have an advantage but the way the laws are at the moment (or the way they are interpreted) it's a completely one sided contest unless the ref pulls up for some front row offence.

Re: England v Scotland

Rob Reid — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:57:58 GMT

It's really frustrating looking at the Scottish scrum as I really don't think they have been as bad as everyone makes out. When you look at the penalties given, they could so easily have been called the other way if the ref had interpreted it differently. Take the French game for example - it seemed pretty obvious to me that the French prop and hooker were boring in on Euan Murray (a bit like South Africa did on Vickery in the 1st Lions game in 09) and yet the ref pinged us every time for collpasing.

I do think Scotland need to play the ref better though - Ireland was a classic, Jacobsen is on top in the scrum then gets pinged for wheeling. Nigel Owens tells him if he does it again he's getting a card. So what does he do at the next scrum? Lunacy! And this will be a big problem on Saturday - Castro and Parisse are masters are controlling the ref....

You're right though about the scrum being a farce. The Super 15 League seems to have the right idea - get the scrum over with quickly (even if there is a small technical offence) and get on with open play. Problem is if we let that happen across the board we'll end up like Rugby League and that would be a crime!

Re: England v Scotland

Alan Tevendale — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:46:51 GMT

Rob I've tried for years to purge that horrible day from my memory. Yes I too am worried about the scrum and how the ref perceives it. Frankly I think the scrum is an area that needs to be seriously looked at as the current laws just don't seem to be working and it often ends up a bit of a lottery with who is lucky getting awarded a penalty. This isn't the refs fault it's just how the game has evolved and how the front rows exploit the laws. I should know I've played in the front row and also been a ref.

Re: England v Scotland

Rob Reid — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:20:55 GMT

As you know Tevers I am the eternal pessimist with regards to Scottish sport ! I just remember all too well conceding 3 tries in the first 7 minutes a few years ago and am worried about how our scrum will cope with the Italians (or perhaps more correctly, how the ref will perceive our scrum handling the Italians!!)

Re: England v Scotland

Alan Tevendale — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:48:30 GMT

Can't say I was ever too keen on that ref so not really that upset to see him go although wouldn't wish a torn hamstring on anyone. Over the last few months Scotland have consistently had trouble finishing attacking plays so probably wouldn't have made much from there anyway.

Re: England v Scotland

Alex Gough — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:43:32 GMT

Felt sorry for the Scots losing their good attacking position because the ref did his hamstring!

Re: England v Scotland

Alan Tevendale — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:10:25 GMT

Come on Rob if Scotland play like they did on Sunday and Italy don't play as well as they can then we stand a good chance of letting them walk away with the wooden spoon. Remember they don't have a great record away from home. Admittedly they have won a Murrayfield before.

Re: England v Scotland

Rob Reid — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 15:30:06 GMT

Like you Tevers, I was expecting to lose but just wanted them to play better than they had done against Wales and in the first hour against Ireland. At least they did that - line-out was disappointing but the execution was better in the loose and they certainly defended with more intensity.

Bit of an odd 6N weekend - great result (and performance) from Italy, strange/contentious win for Wales (wife was certainly pleased!) and unexpectedly close game yesterday.

We're going to end up with the Wooden Spoon though!

Re: England v Scotland

Alan Tevendale — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:27:24 GMT

Although I was disappointed with the result I can't say I was expecting any different - except maybe that Scotland did better than I'd thought they would. With both Scotland & Italy and England & Ireland playing good ruby it should make for an interesting ending to the championship.