NPR

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 6:42 pm**

Played well enough to win that, that’s very frustrating

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 6:43 pm**

Missed three conversions. Any one of them would have won it.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 6:44 pm**

Biffer wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 6:43 pm Missed three conversions. Any one of them would have won it.

They were all tough conversations tbf. VdM should have tried to go closer to the sticks for that last try.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 6:45 pm**

Is what it is really.

Didn't take our chances and we're not a side that can afford to do that.

Some good and some bad.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 7:13 pm**

Haven’t watched it yet. Will have to decide whether I can face it. To be honest, I feared the script for this game was written when the reports said we ran England ragged in the first half and we couldn’t build more than a 3-point lead. As has been said, we aren’t a side that can afford that.

I’m not sure if the last-minute try makes it better or worse. Probably worse. I expected to lose this game. Having a kick to win it and missing it is tough.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 7:16 pm**

Scotland could and should have win by 8 or 9 points.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 7:16 pm**

Trainini in the TMO box signing off on a try where the ball is held up and then coming in for a penalty outwith when he is allowed to interject under the TMO Protocol. Shit show from another TMO for Scotland.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 7:20 pm**

You know that might be a game that haunts some of our players. In just a few months Farrell will be putting his squad together and he’ll look at a lot of our guys and say, when the chips are down, I don’t think I can count on him. And to be honest, he’s probably right.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 7:22 pm**

Well played Scotland.

Deserved to win that in just about any metric you can measure.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 8:01 pm**

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 7:20 pm You know that might be a game that haunts some of our players. In just a few months Farrell will be putting his squad together and he’ll look at a lot of our guys and say, when the chips are down, I don’t think I can count on him. And to be honest, he’s probably right.

Nah.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 8:02 pm**

Chilli2 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 7:16 pm Scotland could and should have win by 8 or 9 points.

At least!!!!

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 8:23 pm**

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 7:20 pm You know that might be a game that haunts some of our players. In just a few months Farrell will be putting his squad together and he’ll look at a lot of our guys and say, when the chips are down, I don’t think I can count on him. And to be honest, he’s probably right.

Nah. We don’t have any test level second rows and it cost us. Three tries to one but gave way too many penalties because we lacked grunt. Perfectly fine everywhere else.

Need to get on the phone to Durban and see who’s granny liked big pasty ginger lads.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 9:40 pm**

Punter15 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 8:23 pm
KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 7:20 pm You know that might be a game that haunts some of our players. In just a few months Farrell will be putting his squad together and he’ll look at a lot of our guys and say, when the chips are down, I don’t think I can count on him. And to be honest, he’s probably right.
Nah. We don’t have any test level second rows and it cost us. Three tries to one but gave way too many penalties because we lacked grunt. Perfectly fine everywhere else.

Need to get on the phone to Durban and see who’s granny liked big pasty ginger lads.

I am thoroughly sick of seeing Johnny Gray plod around the pitch. We just HAVE to try some new 2nd rows. Gray and Gilchrist have to be the slowest, least athletic 2nd row combo in international rugby.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 10:21 pm**

Wylie Coyote wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 9:40 pm
Punter15 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 8:23 pm
KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 7:20 pm You know that might be a game that haunts some of our players. In just a few months Farrell will be putting his squad together and he’ll look at a lot of our guys and say, when the chips are down, I don’t think I can count on him. And to be honest, he’s probably right.
Nah. We don’t have any test level second rows and it cost us. Three tries to one but gave way too many penalties because we lacked grunt. Perfectly fine everywhere else.

Need to get on the phone to Durban and see who’s granny liked big pasty ginger lads.
I am thoroughly sick of seeing Johnny Gray plod around the pitch. We just HAVE to try some new 2nd rows. Gray and Gilchrist have to be the slowest, least athletic 2nd row combo in international rugby.

Quite a few injuries have hampered us there. Cummings would have started, and I think there was a good chance for Williamson to break into the team too.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 11:34 pm**

By my reckoning that's the first time in his Scotland career that Finn has missed every goal kick he has attempted in a game.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 11:46 pm**

KingBlairhorn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 6:44 pm
Biffer wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 6:43 pm Missed three conversions. Any one of them would have won it.
They were all tough conversations tbf. VdM should have tried to go closer to the sticks for that last try.

It was very strange. Everyone in blue was celebrating that we had won the match when he went over, lots of hugging and high fives, then looked around and saw Finn teeing up the kick from the touch line. Literally everyone assumed VdM had gone under the posts.

Posted: **Sat Feb 22, 2025 11:53 pm**

Anyway, seen none of it on TV but certainly felt that we were the better team by a distance, but well done England.

Finn obviously missed his kicks but I thought he was absolutely fantastic in every other way. Kyle Rowe seemed to have a good game as well and BK was awesome in the first half. We were very high up so was quite difficult to judge the forwards.

Overall feeling is very frustrated and, this is not judgement on TJ, but I think with Sione playing we would have won.

Also frustrating that we are still shite at exits. How the fuck has this not been coached better. Get the ball and belt it down the other end. Their try was directly from another shite exit. I think

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:37 am**

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 11:53 pm Anyway, seen none of it on TV but certainly felt that we were the better team by a distance, but well done England.

Finn obviously missed his kicks but I thought he was absolutely fantastic in every other way. Kyle Rowe seemed to have a good game as well and BK was awesome in the first half. We were very high up so was quite difficult to judge the forwards.

Overall feeling is very frustrated and, this is not judgement on TJ, but I think with Sione playing we would have won.

Also frustrating that we are still shite at exits. How the fuck has this not been coached better. Get the ball and belt it down the other end. Their try was directly from another shite exit. I think

I thought TJ played pretty well throughout - but Sione would have torn it up in a game like that.

England were dropping kick-offs just short of the 22 so White had to keep the ball in play. Decent enough chase but then they dragged the tackled player into touch after his knee was on the ground. Penalty conceded and the only time England got into our 22 in the first 39 minutes of the match.

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 1:03 am**

topofthemoon wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 11:34 pm By my reckoning that's the first time in his Scotland career that Finn has missed every goal kick he has attempted in a game.

It's all part of Finn's ingenious plan to keep Borthwick in post...

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:32 am**

Maybe someone more inclined to be in such wide positions can opine, but to me it seemed as though VDM was incredibly concerned about taking contact in his try. Thought he had acres of space, a small defender cross tracking. Thought he could have given Finn 5 metres more of give.

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:34 am**

topofthemoon wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:37 am
Slick wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 11:53 pm Anyway, seen none of it on TV but certainly felt that we were the better team by a distance, but well done England.

Finn obviously missed his kicks but I thought he was absolutely fantastic in every other way. Kyle Rowe seemed to have a good game as well and BK was awesome in the first half. We were very high up so was quite difficult to judge the forwards.

Overall feeling is very frustrated and, this is not judgement on TJ, but I think with Sione playing we would have won.

Also frustrating that we are still shite at exits. How the fuck has this not been coached better. Get the ball and belt it down the other end. Their try was directly from another shite exit. I think
I thought TJ played pretty well throughout - but Sione would have torn it up in a game like that.

England were dropping kick-offs just short of the 22 so White had to keep the ball in play. Decent enough chase but then they dragged the tackled player into touch after his knee was on the ground. Penalty conceded and the only time England got into our 22 in the first 39 minutes of the match.

Yes, you said what I meant, TJ was very good but Sione would have had a field day.

Re the exit, again, you are quite right, I forgot that it was us dragging the player that caused the penalty

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:38 am**

BBC really are horrendous at rugby highlights, didn’t even show the England try for some reason

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:40 am**

SomersetJock wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:38 am BBC really are horrendous at rugby highlights, didn’t even show the England try for some reason

Are you talking about the 5 min highlights on iplayer? They showed the try.

Is this some weird whoosh I'm not getting?

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:45 am**

I think it might be.

Another impression I got was that Ashman gave away at least 2 stupid penalties when he came on, was that the case? If so, it is an issue with him

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:58 am**

inactionman wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:40 am
SomersetJock wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:38 am BBC really are horrendous at rugby highlights, didn’t even show the England try for some reason
Are you talking about the 5 min highlights on iplayer? They showed the try.

Is this some weird whoosh I'm not getting?

No, the highlights on the news this morning !

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:06 am**

I guess at least Wales didn’t actually beat Ireland. If they had, winning would have given us a shot at the title (if a long shot). But Ireland are looking good for the GS now.

We need to make bloody sure we put Wales away now. Although if we lost it might cost Toony his job…

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:50 am**

Frustrating game - Scotland superior in most aspects of the game and should have scored more tries/points, particularly in the first half. Attack with the ball was excellent but English scramble defence held firm. Agree we lack a little bit of bite in 2nd row particularly as we went with a lightweight and mobile back row. Apart from the scrum we looked fairly comfortable throughout. In all honesty I cant think of an English back I would choose ahead of one of our Scots - apart from Finn Smith's left boot?

England looked pretty uncomfortable and played an ultra conservative game which was good for us given our backs looked good below high balls and threatened on transitions a number of times. Mitchell's kicking was mediocre and Randells was just plain awful when he came on. Finn Smith is a decent 10 and worth persevering with but Marcus Smith is never a 15. Lawrence is a player I like and he was their most dangerous back, apart from him the rest were pretty mediocre.

Another day and a few tries slightly closer to the posts and we would have strolled that game!

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 10:21 am**

dpedin wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:50 am Frustrating game - Scotland superior in most aspects of the game and should have scored more tries/points, particularly in the first half. Attack with the ball was excellent but English scramble defence held firm. Agree we lack a little bit of bite in 2nd row particularly as we went with a lightweight and mobile back row. Apart from the scrum we looked fairly comfortable throughout. In all honesty I cant think of an English back I would choose ahead of one of our Scots - apart from Finn Smith's left boot?

England looked pretty uncomfortable and played an ultra conservative game which was good for us given our backs looked good below high balls and threatened on transitions a number of times. Mitchell's kicking was mediocre and Randells was just plain awful when he came on. Finn Smith is a decent 10 and worth persevering with but Marcus Smith is never a 15. Lawrence is a player I like and he was their most dangerous back, apart from him the rest were pretty mediocre.

Another day and a few tries slightly closer to the posts and we would have strolled that game!

I like Lawrence as well but, and I could be completely wrong, but it felt like he fell off a lot of tackles yesterday

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 10:29 am**

dpedin wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:50 am Frustrating game - Scotland superior in most aspects of the game and should have scored more tries/points, particularly in the first half. Attack with the ball was excellent but English scramble defence held firm. Agree we lack a little bit of bite in 2nd row particularly as we went with a lightweight and mobile back row. Apart from the scrum we looked fairly comfortable throughout. In all honesty I cant think of an English back I would choose ahead of one of our Scots - apart from Finn Smith's left boot?

England looked pretty uncomfortable and played an ultra conservative game which was good for us given our backs looked good below high balls and threatened on transitions a number of times. Mitchell's kicking was mediocre and Randells was just plain awful when he came on. Finn Smith is a decent 10 and worth persevering with but Marcus Smith is never a 15. Lawrence is a player I like and he was their most dangerous back, apart from him the rest were pretty mediocre.

Another day and a few tries slightly closer to the posts and we would have strolled that game!

Think you need to ask yourself a couple of questions
Why weren’t Scotland out of sight by halftime
What on earth happened to the Scottish forwards in the second half

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:20 am**

SaintK wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 10:29 am
dpedin wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:50 am Frustrating game - Scotland superior in most aspects of the game and should have scored more tries/points, particularly in the first half. Attack with the ball was excellent but English scramble defence held firm. Agree we lack a little bit of bite in 2nd row particularly as we went with a lightweight and mobile back row. Apart from the scrum we looked fairly comfortable throughout. In all honesty I cant think of an English back I would choose ahead of one of our Scots - apart from Finn Smith's left boot?

England looked pretty uncomfortable and played an ultra conservative game which was good for us given our backs looked good below high balls and threatened on transitions a number of times. Mitchell's kicking was mediocre and Randells was just plain awful when he came on. Finn Smith is a decent 10 and worth persevering with but Marcus Smith is never a 15. Lawrence is a player I like and he was their most dangerous back, apart from him the rest were pretty mediocre.

Another day and a few tries slightly closer to the posts and we would have strolled that game!
Think you need to ask yourself a couple of questions
Why weren’t Scotland out of sight by halftime
What on earth happened to the Scottish forwards in the second half

I said this in a different way elsewhere - we don't have the tight driving game to force penalties in the opposition 22, England were able to defend by making one or two tackles and not committing too many to the breakdown , they were never forced to stray offside to keep the pick and go attack at bay.

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:27 am**

Slick wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 10:21 am
dpedin wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:50 am Frustrating game - Scotland superior in most aspects of the game and should have scored more tries/points, particularly in the first half. Attack with the ball was excellent but English scramble defence held firm. Agree we lack a little bit of bite in 2nd row particularly as we went with a lightweight and mobile back row. Apart from the scrum we looked fairly comfortable throughout. In all honesty I cant think of an English back I would choose ahead of one of our Scots - apart from Finn Smith's left boot?

England looked pretty uncomfortable and played an ultra conservative game which was good for us given our backs looked good below high balls and threatened on transitions a number of times. Mitchell's kicking was mediocre and Randells was just plain awful when he came on. Finn Smith is a decent 10 and worth persevering with but Marcus Smith is never a 15. Lawrence is a player I like and he was their most dangerous back, apart from him the rest were pretty mediocre.

Another day and a few tries slightly closer to the posts and we would have strolled that game!
I like Lawrence as well but, and I could be completely wrong, but it felt like he fell off a lot of tackles yesterday

You are confusing him with Slade who missed 5 from 12 attempts
Got to feel for Sleightholme who received precisiely 1 pass before being substituted, having to play to a plan that is completely alien to him compared to how Saints deply him!!!

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:29 am**

SaintK wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:27 am
Slick wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 10:21 am
dpedin wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:50 am Frustrating game - Scotland superior in most aspects of the game and should have scored more tries/points, particularly in the first half. Attack with the ball was excellent but English scramble defence held firm. Agree we lack a little bit of bite in 2nd row particularly as we went with a lightweight and mobile back row. Apart from the scrum we looked fairly comfortable throughout. In all honesty I cant think of an English back I would choose ahead of one of our Scots - apart from Finn Smith's left boot?

England looked pretty uncomfortable and played an ultra conservative game which was good for us given our backs looked good below high balls and threatened on transitions a number of times. Mitchell's kicking was mediocre and Randells was just plain awful when he came on. Finn Smith is a decent 10 and worth persevering with but Marcus Smith is never a 15. Lawrence is a player I like and he was their most dangerous back, apart from him the rest were pretty mediocre.

Another day and a few tries slightly closer to the posts and we would have strolled that game!
I like Lawrence as well but, and I could be completely wrong, but it felt like he fell off a lot of tackles yesterday
You are confusing him with Slade who missed 5 from 12 attempts
Got to feel for Sleightholme who received precisiely 1 pass before being substituted, having to play to a plan that is completely alien to him compared to how Saints deply him!!!

Could well be. It’s quite surprising that’s Englands defence is still so awful

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:31 am**

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:20 am
SaintK wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 10:29 am
dpedin wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:50 am Frustrating game - Scotland superior in most aspects of the game and should have scored more tries/points, particularly in the first half. Attack with the ball was excellent but English scramble defence held firm. Agree we lack a little bit of bite in 2nd row particularly as we went with a lightweight and mobile back row. Apart from the scrum we looked fairly comfortable throughout. In all honesty I cant think of an English back I would choose ahead of one of our Scots - apart from Finn Smith's left boot?

England looked pretty uncomfortable and played an ultra conservative game which was good for us given our backs looked good below high balls and threatened on transitions a number of times. Mitchell's kicking was mediocre and Randells was just plain awful when he came on. Finn Smith is a decent 10 and worth persevering with but Marcus Smith is never a 15. Lawrence is a player I like and he was their most dangerous back, apart from him the rest were pretty mediocre.

Another day and a few tries slightly closer to the posts and we would have strolled that game!
Think you need to ask yourself a couple of questions
Why weren’t Scotland out of sight by halftime
What on earth happened to the Scottish forwards in the second half

I said this in a different way elsewhere - we don't have the tight driving game to force penalties in the opposition 22, England were able to defend by making one or two tackles and not committing too many to the breakdown , they were never forced to stray offside to keep the pick and go attack at bay.

There seemed to be quite a drop from 1st XV to bench yesterday as well. I think they just got tired as well, a huge amount of energy went into that game

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:32 am**

Slick wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:29 am
SaintK wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:27 am
Slick wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 10:21 am

I like Lawrence as well but, and I could be completely wrong, but it felt like he fell off a lot of tackles yesterday
You are confusing him with Slade who missed 5 from 12 attempts
Got to feel for Sleightholme who received precisiely 1 pass before being substituted, having to play to a plan that is completely alien to him compared to how Saints deply him!!!
Could well be. It’s quite surprising that’s Englands defence is still so awful

Because Slade leads it!!!!!

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:32 am**

Yep.

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:05 pm**

Townsend needs to release a Rassie style refereeing analysis.

The obvious non try and Itoje handstand turnover in his 22 I mean what are we even doing.

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:14 pm**

For the Wales game I'd like to see Henderson get a start ahead of Gray.

Fed up seeing Gray and Skinner give the same old.performance week in and week out.

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:24 pm**

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:05 pm Townsend needs to release a Rassie style refereeing analysis.

The obvious non try and Itoje handstand turnover in his 22 I mean what are we even doing.

Oh dear!!! Please don't let the Scots go full Saffer
Ian Tempest says you and Townsend are wrong about the try!

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:34 pm**

SaintK wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:24 pm
I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:05 pm Townsend needs to release a Rassie style refereeing analysis.

The obvious non try and Itoje handstand turnover in his 22 I mean what are we even doing.
Oh dear!!! Please don't let the Scots go full Saffer
Ian Tempest says you and Townsend are wrong about the try!

Never heard of him

Posted: **Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:40 pm**

Biffer wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:34 pm
SaintK wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:24 pm
I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 12:05 pm Townsend needs to release a Rassie style refereeing analysis.

The obvious non try and Itoje handstand turnover in his 22 I mean what are we even doing.
Oh dear!!! Please don't let the Scots go full Saffer
Ian Tempest says you and Townsend are wrong about the try!
Never heard of him

Well, you have now.

NPR

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