England vs. Scotland - 3/2/2007

England kick off their challenge for the RBS Six Nations Championship, Calcutta Cup and Triple Crown against Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday 3/2/07 at 4 p.m.   Now if that is not a fine hearty fare to warm your hearts, then nothing is!

Historically the Calcutta Cup was first played for by England and Scotland in 1871. Made of melted down silver rupees from the disbanded Calcutta Cricket Club.  A beautiful Elephant adorns the top and the handles are made in the form of serpents.

Calcutta Cup 

England have not lived up to their Rugby World Cup billing these last few years, in fact to be honest they have been very poor!  Of course we can churn out the usual stuff, players retiring, coaches being sacked, players being injured and let's not forget the usual whipping board the RFU.  It has been a long time since fans really had anything to cheer about.  In recent weeks the Club vs. Country row took on a roller coaster ride of dizzy proportions, we have had rumblings of franchises and central contracts, then denials.  All of these issues upsetting and aggravating the fans to almost breaking point, I can't remember a more unhappy time for England Rugby and the fans.   

However, England fans must set aside all of  these issues I feel, for the time being at any rate and get behind this England team.   Never has a team needed our support more, we have a New Director of Rugby, a New Head Coach in Brian Ashton, a New Captain in Phil Vickery, Jonny Wilkinson coming back from long term injuries, Jason Robinson back from International retirement, new recruit Andy Farrell as well as a whole selection of young fresh faces.   They all need our support. 

At this point I would like to wish all those players who have been injured over the last year as well as those just recently announced a speedy recovery.  Many of these injured players would have definitely featured in this year's RBS Six Nations at some point and it must be heartbreaking for them to be injured at this time.  We look forward to seeing them back playing for their clubs and England very soon.

Head Coach Ashton's selection although on paper looks strong, I worry that this is an international game far too soon for Jonny Wilkinson,  who has missed England's last 30 Test matches due to various injuries and health problems.  He has had half a game against Leicester Tigers last weekend trained very well with England it would seem and goes straight into start.  I hope I am wrong but I really think this is madness, please God let me be wrong on this one.   Then we have Jason Robinson who is supposed to be perhaps nursing an injury coming back from International retirement.  Yes on paper this looks a very good strong side BUT.....

This seems to be a team selected to inspire confidence and maybe a bit of magic.  I can perhaps see Ashton's plan of wanting to go out at the start to put masses of points on the board, hoping the Scots will give those penalties and Jonny kicking the life out of them  BUT.....  Well let's hope so.  Our pack is strong and I have full confidence in Phil Vickery as Captain, he actually brought a bit of magic to the Autumn Internationals and I believe he will do it again this Saturday.  So trying to look at this with the broader picture in mind, Confidence seems to be the key?   Ashton is looking to the albeit big BUT... players to give a lead and inspire the confidence needed with a good home WIN, yes lots of points on the board as fast as they can does not matter how they do it but do it they must.  Remember, this match is not just for the start of RBS Six Nations but the Calcutta Cup and the Triple Crown - Big Match, Big Day and I am really looking forward to it and my big BUTT this time will be sitting cheering them on.

England: Ollie Morgan; Josh Lewsey, Mike Tindall, Andy Farrell, Jason Robinson; Jonny Wilkinson, Harry Ellis; Martin Corry, Magnus Lund, Joe Worsley, Louis Deacon, Danny Grewcock, Phil Vickery (Captain), George Chuter, Perry Freshwater.

Replacements: Lee Mears, Julian White, Tom Palmer.** Tom Rees , Peter Richards, Toby Flood, Mathew Tait. 

Update: ** 1/2 Lewis Moody failed fitness

Update *** 2/2 Iain Balshaw failing to recover from groin injury

Scotland:  H Southwell (Edinburgh); S Lamont (Northampton), M Di Rollo (Edinburgh), A Henderson (Glasgow), C Paterson (Edinburgh, Captain); D Parks (Glasgow), C Cusiter (Borders); G Kerr (Borders), D Hall (Edinburgh), E Murray (Glasgow), A Kellock (Glasgow), J Hamilton (Leicester), S Taylor (Edinburgh), D Callam (Edinburgh), K Brown (Borders).

and so to our famous battle cry..............

I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'

Henry V (1599) Act3, Scene1

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon