Scotland vs England, RBS Six Nations Match Preview 25/2/06

It's a funny old thing these days, being an England fan. Sat atop the VI Nations table with an unlikely Grand Slam firmly in the team's sights, things are looking rosy. Ten tries to two in the first two games of the tournament should require a fresh pair of lenses in those chromatically illusory specs. But for some reason, the emotional rollercoster that is the life of a Red Rose supporter continues. Before the Championship began, there was a swathe of apathy and indifference. After the encounter with the Welsh, there came optimism and hope, which was then clouded by a dour display against the Italians. That frustration seems to have regressed once again, and with the announcement of another crushingly unambitious squad for the Calcutta Cup clash this Saturday, there is apathy and indifference once more. The England supporter is a fickle one, indeed.

Calcutta Cup

Scotland, on the other hand, have more reasons to be cheerful. Of all the four teams crammed haphazardly into the middle of the table with a home win each, Frank Hadden's new-look ensemble are looking the happiest, following a fantastic win over France and a spirited display against the Welsh - where Scott Murray's dismissal should have left his teammates flapping against an impossibly stiff breeze. Their backline is playing with no little naivety but undeniable enthusiasm and adventure, their pack is getting younger by the game, and they will trot out to a full - yes, FULL - Murrayfield this Saturday. In each case, It's about time too. And that is where the two teams differ. With everyone in the Scotland camp comes a little glint in the eye; an eye which is looking a little further than the ends of their broken noses.

Andy Robinson has done his level best to maintain the same side throughout this VI Nations Championship. Such is the case for the weekend, where only an injury to Matt Stevens who is replaced by Julian White and the return of Josh Lewsey to full-back differentiate his team from that which started in Rome. Tom Voyce drops to the bench, where he is joined by Perpignan's Perry Freshwater and, quite inexplicably, Leicester hooker George Chuter. Lee Mears is the man to miss out, for reasons unknown, having done approximately nothing wrong in his career of International cameos.

Robinson's use of his replacements has been better than it was last season (specifically because it now exists) but his motivations are still questionable. The phrase 'for the sake of it' springs to mind. What did we learn about James Simpson-Daniel in his 10 minutes against Italy? The performances of significance from off the pine, those of Voyce, Mears and Dallaglio, have been ignored. At this stage, you would be a fool to bet against this team starting every game of the 2007 World Cup.

Scotland, again in stark contrast, have made three changes from the side that succumbed to Wales a fortnight ago. Marcus Di Rollo will hope to bring a little extra precision to the midfield, and replaces Ben MacDougall in the centres. One Scott replaces another in the second row as Scott Macloed forms a fresh partnership with Alistair Kellock, who will be hoping to form a decent combination with Dougie Hall, who replaces Scott Lawson in the problem position of hooker.

One position in which the Scots have no problems is at scrum half, where Mike Blair continues to keep out Lions tourist Chris Cusiter. How England could do with such depth at number 9 as we wait patiently for Harry Ellis to string two good performances together. Neither team can have a problem with their wingers, though, and the near match up between Ben Cohen and Sean Lamont will have every Northampton fan in the land licking their lips, especially considering the scorching form shown by Lamont during his four-try blitz against Saracens last weekend. One can only hope that a hint of romance is retained in this sport, and one of them has the decency to switch wings at half-time!

It remains to be seen which man receives more ball. If all goes true to form, the home side will be more willing but less able to deliver it. For Scotland, should they keep enough ball away from Steve Borthwick's grubby pilfering mitts, it will be vital to deliver a similar performance to that which rocked the French, in terms of powering their way over the gain line. With a hugely passionate Murrayfield crowd behind them - enough to make my kilt-wearing Scots pals look like considerably small fry, even Neil, who will be in attendance at the stadium - a big first half hour from the Scots could find England struggling to contain to assault. Joe Worsley will be charged with quelling the fires, no doubt, and the Wasps man will be hungry to follow up his barnstorming display against the Italians.

But this will be a game quite unlike England's last fixture. If they find themselves trailing again, they won't have a traditional last quarter capitulation to rely on, and grinding out the points may not be enough. We are no closer than we were 6 months ago to finding out if England have the firepower to deliver a killing blow from anywhere they choose. Olly Barkley and now Stuart Abbott are injured, so we're stuck with Hardy and Hardy in the midfield for now, and should England win it could be eons before we see a change, even if we see further additions to Mike Tindall's 'Di Copia - 50 ways to blow an overlap'.

England should have enough to hold back the hordes from North of the border for another year, but if Scotland have a big first quarter then we may finally begin to discover the true nature of this England team.

England by 4.

Scotland: Hugo Southwell, Chris Paterson,  Marcus Di Rollo, Andrew Henderson, Sean Lamont, Dan Parks, Mike Blair, Gavin Kerr, Dougie Hall, Bruce Douglas, Scott MacLeod, Alastair Kellock, Jason White (Captain), Simon Taylor, Allister Hogg.                                                              Replacements: Ross Ford, Craig Smith, Nathan Hines, Jon Petrie, Chris Cusiter, Gordon Ross, Simon Webster

England: Josh Lewsey, Mark Cueto, Jamie Noon, Mike Tindall, Ben Cohen, Charlie Hodgson, Harry Ellis, Andy Sheridan, Steve Thompson, Jason White, Steve Borthwick, Danny Grewcock, Joe Worsley, Lewis Moody, Martin Corry (Captain)      

Replacements: George Chuter, Perry Freshwater, Simon Shaw, Lawrence Dallaglio, Matt Dawson, Andy Goode, Voyce

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