CWC1983

Confession time. I switched it off at halftime ?‍♂️That'll teach me, though I'm just about to sit down and watch it now.
Finn's a talented lad, but I do wish he'd stop trying to wind folk up and play his game as he's dynamite when he's on it. Thank the lord the ongoing saga of him and Townsend seems to be over. Scotland look a deal better for it.
Have to say, I fear for Wales. I'm not sure Gatland was the answer, or if he was, what the question might have been. They've some really good young players, but I can't help thinking he threw the baby out this week. Wales played so narrow and I really think the whole smash it up the middle thing has had its day. Quick ball is key these days, as the Irish have shown, that and slowing down the oppo's ball. They remind me of New Zealand as they play right on the edge and clearly do their homework on each ref that they get. Not Barnes' and co's finest hour I thought, but them's the breaks. He's generally a decent enough ref, but I don't think he gets the breakdown right. As for the TMO, WTF! 
Paris will be tough for Scotland, as there's bound to be a backlash, but they've shown they can raise their game. France will probably turn up in full though, but it could be a cracking game whatever the outcome. Spare a thought for England and Wales though. They just might be battling for the kitchen implement, or to avoid it at least! I'm hoping for a better performance from England tomorrow, but something about the side doesn't fill me with confidence, even if it looks better balanced than of late. Given our playing numbers and despite the injuries, we ought to have greater strength in depth than seems to be the case. I guess I need to practice what I preach and learn some patience ?

Error strewn 1st half but Finn came into his own 2nd half. 
He's got a pack moving forward this year which buys him time to pick his passes. 
Paris in 2 weeks will be tough. 
Ireland just look formidable. 

Error strewn 1st half but Finn came into his own 2nd half. 
He's got a pack moving forward this year which buys him time to pick his passes. 
Paris in 2 weeks will be tough. 
Ireland just look formidable. 

Few bodies back in the 36 man squad for England's game against Italy. Slade, Lawes and Arundel. If fit enough, you'd imagine Slade would go straight in at 12 which I'd assume means Farrell moving back to 10 and Marcus Smith among the replacements. Courtney always seems to improve our set piece and god knows, it's needed improvement, but perhaps most exciting of all is young Henry Arundel. Not sure whether he'll go straight into the team but for me he's the most exciting young English player in a long, long time. Here's a clip of the lad demonstrating he has some serious wheels on him and an eye for a gap that most of our back don't possess.
 

Almost there now and the excitement is palpable. Bothwick's first squad was released this afternoon and despite  the host of injury-related omissions, it does have a fresh look to it. What seems clear already is that as has always been the case with Steve, he'll pick players on form not reputation and if you're not turning up for your club currently, you won't be turning up for England either. Personally, I welcome this. The squads for the Calcutta Cup game is as follows:
England: 
Steward; Malins, Marchant, Farrell (capt), Hassell-Collins; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Chessum, Ludlam, B Curry, Dombrandt.
Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, Earl, Youngs, Lawrence, Watson.
Scotland: 
Hogg; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Nel; R Gray, Gilchrist; Ritchie (capt), Crosbie, M Fagerson.
Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, Berghan, J Gray, Dempsey, Horne, Kinghorn, Harris.
To my way of thinking, Scotland start as marginal favourites, despite England enjoying home field advantage. Borthwick and his team will be trying new personnel, a new defensive set-up and will be encouraged to play a far more expansive game than under EJ and these changes do not happen overnight. Conversely, Scotland, whilst remaining infuriatingly inconsistent, played some wonderful stuff last year and particularly in the Autumn internationals and really should have beaten the Kiwis last time they met. As always, much will depend on which Scotland turn up, but they'll not fear England and I can see their brand of broken play rugby giving a new look England plenty to think about. 
As for England, most reasonable fans will accept this is very much a transitional phase for the squad. A perceived lack of heart led to the team being booed off the field against the Saffas in the Autumn, so the base requirement will be for the lads to show some ambition and heart. If they can adapt quickly, secure quick ball and establish a rhythm, they can be a handful for anyone. That's a lot if 'if's' though! 
Earlier on Saturday, Wales welcome Ireland to the Principality Stadium and whilst I expect an uptick on their lacklustre recent form, I can only see an Ireland win. In what promises to be an interesting tournament, England, Scotland and even Italy, all have the ability to ruffle feathers, but for me, this all comes down to the Ireland vs France game the following weekend. On current form, they are a class apart.
Whatever the outcomes, with the various ruling bodies all under scrutiny for a wide variety of unwelcome failings, it'll be nice for us egg-chasing fans to get a return to watching the game we love rather than reading about 'leadership' shortcomings. Can't wait!
COE

I'm watching a different game from Eni Aluko. 

I'm watching a different game from Eni Aluko. 

I'm watching a different game from Eni Aluko. 

Just had my first bottle of Vocation Mint Chocolate Stout (12% abv, £4 from Tesco).
Going back next week to buy a dozen - it's amazingly good.
 

Best way to get them is through a club buddy. Buying them from the tickets sites is like passing a kidney stone ?

Got tickets today for Wales Ireland next week.  Going as a neutral. 
Got offered 2 free tickets this week via work for Scotland v Wales 12 Feb and it included hospitality in Hearts new stand. 
I had to fund travel and accommodation myself, cost circa £350 and the 1st train back on the Sunday got me home at 5pm....
if it was the Saturday 215pm game I might of considered it but the overnight stay in Edinburgh is expensive for the 445pm game.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Got tickets today for Wales Ireland next week.  Going as a neutral. 
Got offered 2 free tickets this week via work for Scotland v Wales 12 Feb and it included hospitality in Hearts new stand. 
I had to fund travel and accommodation myself, cost circa £350 and the 1st train back on the Sunday got me home at 5pm....
if it was the Saturday 215pm game I might of considered it but the overnight stay in Edinburgh is expensive for the 445pm game.
 
 
 
 
 
 

I got a ticket for Wood v Lara in the Nottingham arena next month. 
Should be a good fight and hopefully lead onto a fight with Warrington at the city ground in the summer. 
 

Was brilliant yesterday. 
Roos did well too.

It's terrible and needs looking at.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I think the Calcutta cup may be moving back over the border after 4 years. 
From a Scotland point of view, Wales and Italy at home are must wins. 
Can we give Ireland a game at Murrayfield. 
England and France away are 2 losses. 

I think the Calcutta cup may be moving back over the border after 4 years. 
From a Scotland point of view, Wales and Italy at home are must wins. 
Can we give Ireland a game at Murrayfield. 
England and France away are 2 losses. 

I think Cooper and Forest deserve some credit actually.
When you think back to where they were in October, they were rock bottom and had lost 7 in 10. They looked dead certs to go down, if we’re being honest. They could have easily spiralled.
Since then, they have lost just two league games in nine and picked up 15 points, including four against Chelsea and Liverpool.
They’ve given themselves a fighting chance of staying up.
But Europe still looks a long way off, so I guess they’re underachieving! ?

Sportscene guys all agreeing with you. Think Kelle Roos might need a hot bovril though. Where’s Inverurie Ram with that song ? 

Used to love that Sampdoria front 3 when they were on Football Italia. 
Vialli, Mancini, Lombardo. Pure entertainment. 
 

He's exactly what Aberdeen are needing at the moment. Leadership in the middle of the park. 
He won't be the same player that left to come south, but he should have a few decent seasons left in him. 
It says much about his character that Lampard brought him down and then left to join Chelsea soon after. 
Cocu obviously didn't fancy him and he was kicking his heels on the bench at the start of the season. Fast forward a few months and he was a certain starter. 
 

My pet hate at the minute.
Goalkeepers catching a simple ball and falling to the ground. 
Pickford seemed to start it and constantly does it. Almost every keeper in the UK has followed suit. 

My pet hate at the minute.
Goalkeepers catching a simple ball and falling to the ground. 
Pickford seemed to start it and constantly does it. Almost every keeper in the UK has followed suit. 

My pet hate at the minute.
Goalkeepers catching a simple ball and falling to the ground. 
Pickford seemed to start it and constantly does it. Almost every keeper in the UK has followed suit. 

The ref did give it. VAR cant award penalties.