England v Scotland - the teams are up

[BJ.]

England:

15 Ben Foden
14 Chris Ashton
13 Manu Tuilagi
12 Mike Tindall
11 Delon Armitage
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9 Ben Youngs
1 Matt Stevens
2 Steve Thompson
3 Dan Cole
4 Louis Deacon
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Tom Croft
7 Lewis Moody (capt)
8 James Haskell
Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Alex Corbisiero, Tom Palmer, Nick Easter, Richard Wigglesworth, Toby Flood, Matt Banahan.

Scotland:

15 Chris Paterson
14 Max Evans
13 Joe Ansbro
12 Sean Lamont
11 Simon Danielli
10 Ruaridh Jackson
9 Mike Blair
1 Allan Jacobsen
2 Ross Ford
3 Euan Murray
4 Richie Gray
5 Alastair Kellock (capt)
6 Ally Strokosch
7 John Barclay
8 Richie Vernon
Replacements: Scott Lawson, Alasdair Dickinson, Nathan Hines, Ross Rennie, Chris Cusiter, Dan Parks, Nick De Luca.

[WhitecapTiger]

Tom Palmer has got to be a little disappointed to make way for Lawes. Not that Lawes isn't a good player, more that Palmer did more than enough (imo) to retain his place.

[Ze Stade Fan]

Lawes is a brute (in my humble opinion.) Palmer is a class act, never loses is cool, valiant in the ruck, reliable at the touchline. The fact that he plays for Stade Français has nothing to do with my own humble opinion. Perhaps he is preserved to face France? (Ooooooh poor France who are going to get an early plane ticket from the hands of ruthless Ingerland... )

[Kinoulton]

I think that team is similar (perhaps not identical) to what most of us would have picked.

ZSF, I don't thik any of us Tommies are confident of beating France. We can do, of course, but it depends which France turns up on the day.

[mightymouse]

as a Scot I am pleased that England have picked Stevens at 1 rather than Corbisero.

BUT am concerned that Morrison, Brown and Big Jim are not playing

[g]

I'm concerned as to who to support on the day LOL. Being born in England to a Scottish mother and a Polish father I'm not sure which side I'm going to tip too. I would support Scotland when they aren't playing England but I think on Saturday my alligiences may just tilt towards England.

[maskedsquid]

I'm concerned as to who to support on the day LOL. Being born in England to a Scottish mother and a Polish father I'm not sure which side I'm going to tip too. I would support Scotland when they aren't playing England but I think on Saturday my alligiences may just tilt towards England.

Surely any chance to distance yourself from Scottish heritage must be seized?

[tigerseb]

Have to say I am gutted for Cueto...should be in the 22 atleast. I thought he looked good against Romania, 3 tries and the MoM.

Obviously not good enough for Johnson?

IMO he should be in there instead of Banahan...

[mike]

This could be the first time in my life that I support Scotland in anything - merely because I want our b****y plaeyrs back !

[Kinoulton]

IMO he should be in there instead of Banahan...

Banahan is a lump, with nothing like the class or the nouse of Cueto.

[Jay C]

Corbs should be ahead of Stevens - specialist in his position & better around the park too (less pens!).
Palmer should start - one of Lawes/Deacs to partner.
Floody should be ahead of Wilko.
Hape in preference to Tindall too (IMO offers more in offence & defence).

Bench : Hartley, Stevens, Lawes/Deacs, Wood, Wigglesworth, JW, Cueto.

IMO Cueto is a much better option off the bench than Bananaman (Floody covers 12) & similarly Wood gives a better option than Easter, who's lack of pace is really getting found out at this WC.

[sam16111986]

Jay C, rumours are that Corbs has had a sore hamstring and isn't 100% but should be fine to take on bench duties. Stevens hasn't had the best RWC at the scrum so he could do with stepping up his game now if he wants to retain his place.

Hape is one of the worst centres to play for England, I'd have Tindall in there because he can actually pass and kick rather than just run the ball into contact every time. Tindall is also a good choice to partner Manu as he offers an experienced head to guide.

[Tigerbob]

This could be the first time in my life that I support Scotland in anything - merely because I want our b****y plaeyrs back !

Totally agree - Come on you Jocks!!

[kingol22]

Good to see that Waldrom is being put to good use as well.

[rdracup]

My bet is Waldrom will be in the 22 come Sat.... Easter may be named but he will cry off before K-O. No inside knowledge ... but suspect it will be a way of surprising Scots... and the NZ press would be all over Waldrom if he was picked in advance ...