I don't think the Scottish performance was all doom and gloom. Score could have been much closer.
1. Sean Lamont gave away two tries. One unlucky, other bad defence.
2. Wilkinson's try was a farce.
The thing that needs hammering home to the players is to stop committing stupid schoolboy fouls in front of the ref, as well as the 3rd official. It is handing points on a plate to Wilkinson, who will pop them between the posts from anywhere in his own half. In my view that is the biggest problem.
Only other dodgy thing I could see was the tactics - Paterson was kicking well and finding touch deep in England turf, but then the line-outs weren't being challenged. That just does not make sense - it's handing possession back to England, and if you haven't got possession you can't score.
Lots of work to be done but it wasn't all bad. Tactics and giving away fouls were the basic cause of the big score margin. I'm Welsh by the way, was just observer yesterday.
2007-02-03 19:55:42 · 8 answers · asked by fistenpumpen 1 in Sports ➔ Rugby
As an Englishman I have to agree that Wilkinson's try was a farce and Harry Ellis should have been given man of the match! England played better than they have in a long time, but they only beat Scotland! Wales, Ireland and France will be much tougher tests, let alone New Zealand!
2007-02-04 20:59:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 20⤊ 0⤋
Good point about the lineouts. Just look what happened when they did harry England a bit in the linout. As for Wilkinson's try, does anyone know exactly what the referee asked the TV ref? I can't fathom how that can be given (I'm English, but that was embarassing). I think Scotland might look a bit smarter if they can get on the front foot, but on Saturday there was just too much pressure up front for them. With all the hysterical media reaction to 'Jonny's return', the fact that the game was won by an outstanding perfomance from the English pack seems to have gone unnoticed. Scotland will still trouble teams that give them a bit of breathing space.
2007-02-05 06:52:35 · answer #2 · answered by notgethithatonharry 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like Scotland and usually hope they win unless they play England.
But I have to say, that it would have been a new low if England had lost to this Scottish team at Twickenham. Even without Wilko, Robinson and Farrell. Alright even without the TMO.
They have been lagging behind for a while. The excuses are there in the feeder system and club money. But Scotland have been a lot better in the past.
Maybe Scottish Rugby needs to be given money in the new professional era, but I know they won't take it off the English.
You are right that they played better than rational men expected , but then Scotland (and many a team) often do when they know they are on to a loser against England.
I honestly couldn't see any shining examples for the future in the last Scottish display, unfortunately quite the opposite. There are some fantastic players who began to show their grey hairs that day.
I'll still keep supporting British teams, but Italy have looked better for a few years now. I hope they keep getting better, but I'll be sorry when they beat Scotland.
Allright let's hope,... IF they beat Scotland.
2007-02-06 04:29:00 · answer #3 · answered by Simon D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i`m english and i thougt played a good game,it was a very big ask to win at twickenham and also to play against and english who really had to win this match.
Have to admit that try was utter bollocks,it did not need to be given it just made bad blood,it would of made no difference to the end result.
I to ould not see what the point was not to contest a line out you might aswell of just given it to the english!!!
After england i`d root for scotland all the time,i think they deserve some credit because they have come on leaps and bounds over the last few years..........abit like italy.
Anyway the scottish players canhold there heads up high
2007-02-06 12:59:35 · answer #4 · answered by neil p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A pretty detailed analysis, and you can tell you're not a Scot since you didn't rag on the officiating. I wanted to see the game with my team, but didn't make it over. Hopefully Ireland-Wales will be a good one today. And you're absolutely right, if you haven't got possession you can't score.
2007-02-04 04:18:07 · answer #5 · answered by Lmeister 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for Scotish morale,but they do have major problems and i do believe Wales will finish their season on Satarday.
2007-02-06 15:45:30 · answer #6 · answered by .brynbach 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The scots are sh it..real bad.
2007-02-04 11:53:38 · answer #7 · answered by BRITS OUT 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
we will be back
2007-02-05 18:48:14 · answer #8 · answered by Robert C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋