6 Nations 2012

[glasgow sheep]

Bloody hell, what is going on, some folk on the radio claiming we are favourites for tomorrow and ones to look out for in the Championship as a whole  :o

So 4 defeats and sneaky win against Ireland or Italy it is then.

 

Anyway to whet the appetite the bbc's selection of the six best Calcutta Cup matches:

 

1980 - Scotland 18-30 England - This was a victory for England's formidable pack, led by captain Billy Beaumont, but also their three-quarters, with future knight of the realm Clive Woodward enjoying one of his finest hours as a player. He created the first two tries for John Carleton and Mike Slemen with his elusive running before Carleton crossed for his second after a powerful England scrum.

 

Scotland, down 23-6 early in the second half after Steve Smith scored England's fourth try, made a good fist of a comeback, running the ball from everywhere and scoring tries via lock Alan Tomes and an individual gem from fly-half John Rutherford.

 

But Carleton completed his hat-trick as England secured their first outright championship since 1963 and a first Grand Slam since 1957 in a match one report suggested was "played in a spirit almost of chivalry". Beaumont was carried off shoulder high at the end.

 

1983 - England 12-22 Scotland - This remains Scotland's last win at Twickenham, a barren run that will stretch to 30 years by the time they venture to south-west London next year. Both countries went into the game without a win but it was Scotland who got the upper hand on this occasion. England went on to lose their final game in Ireland to finish with the Wooden Spoon.

 

The Scots were aggrieved when New Zealand referee Tom Doocey failed to award them a penalty try after centre Keith Robertson broke through and England scrum-half Steve Smith tackled Jim Renwick without the ball. Doocey awarded a penalty, which Peter Dods kicked, but Scotland did score "one of the great Calcutta Cup tries", according to the late, great Bill McLaren's commentary, through scrum-half Roy Laidlaw.

 

England dominated the tight exchanges but Scotland were sharper in attack, with Robertson, who landed a drop-goal near the end, particularly prominent alongside the recalled Rutherford. The final blow was delivered by lock Tom Smith, who out-jumped England's Steve Bainbridge at a line-out to dot down for a debut try, sparking wild celebrations among the Scottish players and supporters.

 

1990 - Scotland 13-7 England - One of the great moments in the Championship's history. Both countries going for the Grand Slam, the political backdrop of the hated Poll Tax being tried out on Scotland, the perceived hatred towards emblematic England captain Will Carling, who had his head transposed onto the body of King Edward II, in the Scottish tabloid press in the build-up.

Scotland adopted "Flower of Scotland" as their pre-match anthem that year and this was only the second time if had been officially used. McLaren said he had "never heard such an emotional rendering", moments after Scotland captain David Sole had led his team onto the pitch with a long, slow walk, stirring Murrayfield into a patriotic frenzy.

 

Two years ago, on the 20th anniversary, Sole denied the political backdrop had anything to do with the match itself. "It was simply a game of rugby - the only difference was that there was a Grand Slam at stake," he said. Jeremy Guscott scored a cracking try for England after Carling's break, but the only one people remember is Tony Stanger's. As McLaren described it: "Pick up by Jeffrey...Jeffrey to Armstrong...Armstrong nicely out to Gavin Hastings...Gavin Hastings goes for the kick through...on goes Stanger...Stanger could be there first...it's a try!...a magnificent try for the 21-year-old!"

 

1999 - England 24-21 Scotland. Until last year, when Scotland made life seriously tough for England but still came off second best, this was the closest the visitors had come to ending their miserable run at Twickenham since a 12-12 draw in 1989.

 

Initially, it appeared the pattern of the preceding years would continue when England went 14 points up inside the first 10 minutes thanks to tries from Nick Beal and Dan Luger. But the Scots, who had beaten Wales at home in their opening game, hit back to play some sublime rugby, with Alan Tait scoring two tries and Gregor Townsend one. Kenny Logan converted all three but ultimately his three missed penalties proved the difference, with England hanging on grimly at the death.

 

Last year, Logan admitted he is still haunted by the memory of costing Scotland a Grand Slam, even though he did not know it at the time. But at least Scotland had the consolation of going on to win the last ever Five Nations title in dramatic style, a stunning 36-22 victory in Paris on the final weekend, tasting all the sweeter after England lost their Grand Slam decider with Wales at Wembley.

 

2000 - Scotland 19-13 England - England going for the Grand Slam, Scotland seeking to avoid a whitewash after losing their first four games in the first year of the Six Nations. It was set up for a mugging - and so it proved as England inadvisedly tried to play rugby in the wet conditions, while Scotland summoned reserves of strength and defensive resolve to repel the favourites.

 

A ferocious opening quarter saw scuffles breaking out at every turn as the fired-up Scottish forwards - with 7ft giant Richard Metcalfe and flanker Jason White making their debuts - waded into their opposite numbers. A Duncan Hodge penalty opened the scoring, only for England to take a 10-3 lead courtesy of Lawrence Dallaglio's converted try and a Jonny Wilkinson penalty.

 

But Hodge's kicking first kept the Scots in touch and then put them into the lead, before the fly-half delivered the decisive blow, diving over the puddles from close range for the game-clinching try. Scotland captain Andy Nicol, now part of the BBC's match-day team, enjoyed his finest hour. "People were incredulous," he recalled. "The euphoria and sense of satisfaction at the end was incredible."

 

2007 - England 42-20 Scotland - What a comeback. After a catalogue of injuries had kept him out of the Test scene for three years following his World Cup-winning drop-goal in 2003, Jonny Wilkinson's return to England duty was remarkable.

 

The celebrated fly-half was back in the old routine with three first-half penalties and a drop-goal, capping his comeback with a dramatic try on the hour. He appeared to have a foot in touch as he touched down one-handed in the right corner after a searing break from scrum-half Harry Ellis, but the television match official was in benevolent mood. Wilkinson then stroked over the conversion from the touchline and finished with a record 27 points for a Calcutta Cup match.

 

Jason Robinson also marked his comeback from premature retirement with two tries, but the standing ovation when Wilkinson was replaced seven minutes from time showed Twickenham still in thrall to their legendary number 10.

[manc_don]

Aye they said the same thing on Breakfast this morning! I think it was largely due to a few new call-ups and England having not won at Murrayfield since 2004 or something?

 

Anyone, roll on tomorrow! 

[Tyrant]

Tomorrow: pumping for Scotland then.

 

Ones to look out for in the tournament? We didn't even get out of our World Cup group FFS fuck sake. I know there have been some changes since but not enough to start thinking mental things like we might win it.

[glasgow sheep]

Tomorrow: pumping for Scotland then.

 

Ones to look out for in the tournament? We didn't even get out of our World Cup group FFS fuck sake. I know there have been some changes since but not enough to start thinking mental things like we might win it.

 

Yeah I don't get it.....in fact for the last few years there has either been a promising performance or talk of this being a good year for Scotland only for us to fall flat on our faces, so no doubt the same again this year.

 

Apparently as coach of England and Scotland Robinson has managed 20 six nations games and only won 6, never finishing higher than 4th.  For all the positive PR he gets his record with Scotland is pretty poor.

[CtS]

We'll fucking horse them at Murrayfield tomorrow. 

 

 

 

 

I hope. 

[glasgow sheep]

MATCH FACTS

 

Head-to-head

England won their last encounter with Scotland at the RWC group stages last October.

Scotland have not beaten England since 2008, and have won the Calcutta Cup just twice in their last eleven Six Nations encounters.

This is their 130th meeting. England have won 69 times, Scotland 42 and there have been 18 draws.

 

Scotland

Scotland have only ever once won their opening match of the Six Nations (2006 v France).

They have won their last three matches at Murrayfield, beating Italy twice and Ireland.

The last time Scotland won back-to-back Six Nations matches was in 2001.

 

England

Wales are the only team to have beaten England in the opening match of the Six Nations (05 & 08).

Chris Robshaw will be England's least experienced captain since the uncapped Nigel Melville in 1984.

In the Six Nations, they have scored the most tries (188), most points (1,731) and conceded the fewest (943).

 

TEAM LINE-UPS

 

Scotland : 15-Rory Lamont, 14-Lee Jones, 13-Nick De Luca, 12-Sean Lamont, 11-Max Evans, 10-Dan Parks, 9-Chris Cusiter; 1-Allan Jacobsen, 2-Ross Ford (captain), 3-Euan Murray, 4-Richie Gray, 5-Jim Hamilton, 6-Alasdair Strokosch, 7-Ross Rennie, 8-David Denton

Replacements: 16-Scott Lawson, 17-Geoff Cross, 18-Alastair Kellock, 19-John Barclay, 20-Mike Blair, 21-Greig Laidlaw, 22-Graeme Morrison.

England : 15-Ben Foden, 14-Chris Ashton, 13-Brad Barritt, 12-Owen Farrell, 11-David Strettle, 10-Charlie Hodgson, 9-Ben Youngs; 1-Alex Corbisiero, 2-Dylan Hartley, 3-Dan Cole, 4-Mouritz Botha, 5-Tom Palmer, 6-Tom Croft, 7-Chris Robshaw (captain) 8-Phil Dowson

Replacements: 16-Rob Webber, 17-Matt Stevens, 18-Geoff Parling, 19-Ben Morgan, 20-Lee Dickson, 21-Jordan Turner-Hall, 22-Mike Brown.

MATCH OFFICIALS

 

Referee : George Clancy (Ire)

Touch judges : Romain Poite (Fra) & Leighton Hodges (Wal)

TV : Nigel Whitehouse (Wal)

[mizer]

Cant beat a night oot in Edinburgh after we beat them at Murrayfield. Not sure we are favorites though 

[glasgowdon]

Thinking of heading to an Irish pub over here to watch it but not sure I'll be able to handle any gloating English if we get beat.

 

[tom_widdows]

I predict the usual scotland penalty in the first 5mins resulting in a 3-0 scoreline and the camera will pan across the crowd who will all clapping and smiling and waving to the TV audience in theta nice middle class way. There will be that little bit of excitment and several people in the pubs will be all 'get that up ya ya english cunts'

 

Then england will run in 3 tries before half time to which the only response will be a couple of penalties or perhaps a drop goal if someone is feeling brave or original. Two more english tries in the second half broken up by a couple more scotland penalties . Then with 5mins to go scotland shall get their consolation try.

 

 

 

 

 

[glasgow sheep]

For some reason I had a dream last night that Scotland won 40-10.

You heard it hear first 

[CtS]

I predict the usual scotland penalty in the first 5mins resulting in a 3-0 scoreline and the camera will pan across the crowd who will all clapping and smiling and waving to the TV audience in theta nice middle class way. There will be that little bit of excitment and several people in the pubs will be all 'get that up ya ya english cunts'

 

Then england will run in 3 tries before half time to which the only response will be a couple of penalties or perhaps a drop goal if someone is feeling brave or original. Two more english tries in the second half broken up by a couple more scotland penalties . Then with 5mins to go scotland shall get their consolation try.

 

Well that's fucking cheered me right up.

[glasgow sheep]

Well that's fucking cheered me right up.

 

tom_widdows

 

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[Tyrant]

I predict the usual scotland penalty in the first 5mins resulting in a 3-0 scoreline and the camera will pan across the crowd who will all clapping and smiling and waving to the TV audience in theta nice middle class way. There will be that little bit of excitment and several people in the pubs will be all 'get that up ya ya english cunts'

 

Then england will run in 3 tries before half time to which the only response will be a couple of penalties or perhaps a drop goal if someone is feeling brave or original. Two more english tries in the second half broken up by a couple more scotland penalties . Then with 5mins to go scotland shall get their consolation try.

 

 

 

A try? I'm not even hopeful of that!

[dave_min]

Gutted that my mate who lives outside Pittodrie fucked off offshore today.

 

Could have done with getting to a TV by 5pm.

 

No doubt the Dons will be pish and i'll fuck off early.

[maverick sheep]

Scotland 'A' 35-0 England Saxons.

[glasgow sheep]

Really? Love that.

[tlg1903]

The Six Nations

 

 

Just saying.

 

Fucking fed up of it already

[Tyrant]

The Six Nations

 

 

Just saying.

 

Fucking fed up of it already

 

 

Then why in the wold of fuck would you click on a thread that's called "6 Nations 2012"?

[scotfree]

I was at the Scotland V England game in 1990.

 

Fucking unreal game.

 

Hope for the same today!

[tlg1903]

Sometimes a guy just needs to vent a little tyrant

[dave_min]

Fuck me England are pish.

[Tyrant]

Indeed they were. But it was fucking embarrassing and tragic that we managed to out do them in the pish stakes.

[CtS]

Yup, we should have wiped the floor with the fuckers, but made a cunt of it in spectacular fashion - even by Scotland's standards.

 

A weekend that promised so much. We even lost the darts for ffs fucks sake. 

[manc_don]

Yup, we should have wiped the floor with the fuckers, but made a cunt of it in spectacular fashion - even by Scotland's standards.

 

A weekend that promised so much. We even lost the darts for ffs fucks sake. 

 

Sadly, this much is true. Hated being in a pub full of the gloating cunts.

[glasgow sheep]

Dan Park quits after what was apparently another shocking performance vs England