England v Scotland – live! | Scott Murray
• Email your thoughts to scott.murray@guardian.co.uk • Press F5 to refresh this page or use our auto-refresher • Watch World Cup video highlights, interviews and more 65 min: A powerful run from Ansbro down the right. Parks switches play with a kick to the corner down the left. Gray looks for a second like getting to the ball first, but before he can think about banging it down for a try, Croft is over to get in the way. What an intervention! 64 min: England have responded really well after peering over the precipice. A couple of changes for Scotland: Hines and Rennie on, Strokosch and Barclay off. 63 min: PENALTY! England 9-12 Scotland. Wow, this is fast and furious. Wilkinson kicks for goal just in front of the posts, but Parks charges him down. Scotland break upfield, Paterson nearly reaching Danielli’s chip and chase, but Tindall covers well. Ashton kicks back upfield, England being gifted a penalty in the breakdown. And Wilkinson makes no mistake now, kicking a beauty straight between the posts from a tight position on the left. 59 min: A change for England just before that drop goal, by the way, Palmer coming on for Lawes. 57 min: DROP GOAL! England 6-12 Scotland. You can’t keep a good man down! From the restart, England win half-decent field position out on the left, midway in Scottish territory. The ball’s fed back to Wilkinson, who kicks a gorgeous goal between the posts. How can he score that, yet miss his effort earlier? The strange complexities of sport, in a nutshell. 56 min: PENALTY! England 3-12 Scotland. Paterson kicks majestically, the ball staying just on the correct side of the right-hand post. This match really is on now. 55 min: In the English 22, some more faffing around in the scrum. England are eventually penalised for bringing down the scrum yet again. Paterson will kick from out on the left. If this goes over, Scotland will find themselves in pole position for the first time, and England will be in danger of an early exit. 53 min: Was this Scotland’s chance gone? Danielli chips and chases down the left, and so nearly latches onto the ball deep in the corner. He can’t get to it, but de Luca is just behind him. All he has to do is pick the ball up, take two steps, and plonk the ball down for a try, but he lets the ball slip through his hands like a bar of soap, and the chance is gone. Oh my. You can’t be passing up opportunities like that, especially when you play in a team who struggle to score tries. 51 min: This is all England. A penalty from halfway is kicked to the corner. England win their line out, then fling the ball around awhile. They’re looking dangerous – then Parks intercepts a loose pass and breaks upfield! The ball’s fed out to Paterson on the right, who kicks long and finds touch near the England 22, the pressure suddenly off. Very poor stuff from England, who really had the Scots under the cosh for a minute there. “It’s not so much ‘fannying around’ in the scrum as Matt Stevens driving across and Dan Cole slipping his bind,” opinesNath Jones. “Add in Steve Thompson popping up every time the pressure’s on and I’ve no idea how England aren’t being penalised more often.” 49 min: England win more turnover ball, this time in the Scottish 22! They shift it back into the pocket for Wilkinson, who goes for a drop goal right in front of the posts. He surely must add three points, but screws a hopeless effort wide left. That was abysmal . Wilkinson, ever the gent, has the good manners to look extremely embarrassed. 47 min: England steal the ball at a scrum against the head, Tindall taking control of a ricochet. Youngs is so close to breaking free down the right, but ends up knocking the ball on. England are on top here, but Scotland are just about managing to repel them. This is tense stuff, both teams massive sacks of nerves. Aren’t weekends supposed to be relaxing? 46 min: A lot of fannying around by both teams at a scrum. A lot of fannying around. 44 min: Tuilagi is putting himself about, the white shirts of England putting together a few passing phases in the Scottish half. Scotland look shocked by England’s fast start to this period. “Am I the only England fan hoping Scotland sort of do this?” asks Dan Lucas. “It’d be nice to see Andy Robinson get one over on the RFU, it might prompt them to get a real coach in – Johnson is about as open minded as Jeremy Clarkson – and no one likes to see posh people win.” 42 min: Already it looks as though England are more on their game. Tuilagi intercepts a telegraphed pass, and sets Armitage scampering free down the left. He so nearly makes it to the try line, but he’s nudged into touch at the last. Scotland go long at the line out and clear upfield. The danger’s over, at least momentarily, but England already look a different team, and will be energised by that. And we’re off again! An interesting comparison between the two dressing rooms at half time. Martin Johnson had England standing in a circle, no time to rest, his bollocking too severe to enjoy while kicking back and relaxing. Scotland coach Andy Robinson, meanwhile, was standing with one hand in pocket, very much the casual man at C&A, his players sitting on the benches. England certainly need a kick up the hole; another 40 minutes like that and they’ll be on the plane home. So here we go, Scotland kicking off. They’ve made a change: Max Evans off, Nick de Luca on. HALF-TIME ADVERTISEMENT BREAK: Geddon! HALF TIME: England 3-9 Scotland. And that’s that for the half. A very impressive one from Scotland; another like it, and they’ll be staying in New Zealand a wee while longer, while the English go home. But England surely can’t play as badly as that again in the second half. Surely Jonny Wilkinson can’t kick as badly as that again. And it’s worth remembering – though how could you forget – that England remain in the box seat for qualification. 40 min: DROP GOAL! England 3-9 Scotland. Yes he can! Good foraging by the Scottish pack, and the ball’s snapped back to Parks, who threads the ball through the target from short range. 39 min: Scotland are competing very well in the scrum. They win the ball against the head for the fourth time in the match. Then England are penalised for dragging the whole kit and caboodle down yet again. It allows Scotland to kick for good field position at the end of the half. Can they set Parks up for another drop goal effort? 36 min: A good response from Scotland, who set themselves up in the England 22 and throw it hither and yon. Parks shuttles the ball out right to Ansbro on the wing, but the Scot is dumped into touch by Armitage. Just for a second, it looked like Scotland were going to score a rare tournament try. But no. 34 min: PENALTY! England 3-6 Scotland. Nope, Wilkinson’s not going to miss four in a row. He makes no mistake, slotting the ball between the posts and bothering the scoreboard for the first time. 31 min: Scotland, who aren’t exactly the most expansive outfit at this World Cup, are to their credit trying their best to put together a few passing phases. Nothing’s quite coming off for them, though; they don’t exactly look like threatening a try. By way of comparison, England have been pretty stodgy, yet when they get the ball out left to Armitage, there’s an electricity in the air. Armitage goes nowhere, but his mere presence causes panic in the Scotland ranks, and when he’s tackled, Ross Ford comes hoving into the resulting melee at a preposterous angle, gifting England the penalty, 20-odd yards out. Wilkinson won’t miss four in a row, surely? 28 min: The ball’s been kicked this way and that. A couple of very decent kicks into the England 22 by Dan Parks, who isn’t always the most reliable. Scotland win some good field position, and feed Parks in the pocket for the drop goal attempt, but like last Sunday against Argentina, he’s not been given much time or space to work with, and although he gets his effort on target, this time his kick falls short. 25 min: England have the momentum now. Scotland are penalised for hitting a man in mid air. England have a penalty in the middle of the park, just to the left of the sticks. He really should put three points on the board for England, but he misses this one as well! The ball curls off to the right. That is unspeakably poor. A real let-off for Scotland, who have been under the cosh since going 6-0 up. 22 min: Scotland launch a garryowen, which they reclaim, but the forwards have been sauntering back like men popping down to the shops for the paper, a pint of milk and a packet of fags, and it’s offside. Wilkinson opts to kick for goal from the halfway line, but while his kick is on target, it’s short. 21 min: England look a wee bit flustered in the face of this decent Scottish start. Youngs needlessly steps into touch when looking to set England off from the halfway line, and the ball’s gifted back to the Scots. 19 min: Scotland are first to everything at the minute. Youngs fannies around at the breakdown, allowing Ford to steal it away, but then Scotland can’t recycle, holding onto the ball on the ground. An England penalty from out left, near the halfway line, in a strong wind. Wilkinson steps up and goes through the usual routine, but he can’t stroke the ball over, his kick sailing to the left of the posts. 16 min: PENALTY! England 0-6 Scotland. Mike Blair takes a quick tap penalty and runs up the right flank to the English ten-metre line. Dan Cole fails to roll away after tackling, and it’s a penalty to Scotland, out on the right. Parks hits a long, flat kick in between the posts – but did it go over the bar? The referee goes to the video booth – the guys hanging around with the flags aren’t sure – and turns out the ball just tipples over the bar. What a surreal series of events. Parks has the decency to look highly amused by the incident. 14 min: A lot of faffing around at a scrum. Scotland are penalised for turning the scrum. There are already signs that the English pack are bossing it in terms of strength, but again there’s a niggly error by England in the engagement, and the pressure’s off the Scots. 12 min: Scotland with the ball in their own 22. England are offside at the breakdown. There’s some backchat, too, and a 10-metre penalty. Scotland tear off into English territory. They’re flinging the passes around quite nicely here, having come out strongly. Scotland have clearly decided to go for it, a no-brainer, really, as it’s do or die for them. England have already made quite a few infringements; it’s been a problem all World Cup, and it’s something they can’t afford here. 9 min: PENALTY! England 0-3 Scotland. That’s a great kick by Paterson, who arrows a very tricky penalty through the posts. 8 min: The English front row collapses at the scrum, Dan Cole the man dragging it all down. Penalty for Scotland. Will the usually dead-eyed Chris Paterson be able to convert it, from near the left touchline? 6 min: A chip through down the right, Evans chasing after it and getting to the ball ahead of a very sleepy Foden. It gives Scotland good field position, but instead of continuing to run the ball, they opt for a cross kick towards Lamont. Poor decision, as Lamont can’t gather the ball and England will have the scrum. But this is a strong start from the Scots. 5 min: An early blow for Scotland: Ruaridh Jackson is injured and can’t continue. He’s replaced by Dan Parks, and goes off in tears. Ee, he’s a poor lad. Wrong code, sorry. 2 min: A determined start from Scotland, the captain Kellock winning an English put-in at the line-out. They look to break up the right flank, but flinging the ball around isn’t a Scottish strong point, and there’s a knock on. A breathless start. “Poor showing from the Scots at the anthems,” opines Gary Naylor. “No tears, only one caveman and two blokes who look fifty years old.” I miss amateur rugby, when it looked as though everyone had just bundled out of the nearest pub, gaddered on whisky or real ale. Scotland still often play it, of course, but not in that sense. And we’re off! The crowd count down to the start – “FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE!” – and England get proceedings under way. What at atmosphere. A line out at the Scottish 22, Scotland putting in, at which England transgress. Scotland can clear their lines. The teams take the pitch, and there’s quite an atmosphere. The guy with the wooden bassoon gives it a bit of Mulligan and O’Hare. Lewis Moody and England jog out; Alastair Kellock and his men give it a bit of ersatz David Sole, and walk out if not slowly, then at least at medium pace. It’s all to the accompaniment of dreadful portentous music. Speaking of which, it’s time for a blast of God Save The Queen. Then a tootle of Flower of Scotland, played with neither bag nor pipe. Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Scotland: Paterson, Evans, Ansbro, S. Lamont, Danielli, Jackson, Blair, Jacobsen, Ford, Murray, Gray, Kellock, Strokosch, Barclay, Vernon. Replacements: S. Lawson, Dickinson, Hines, Rennie, Cusiter, Parks, De Luca. England: Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi, Tindall, Armitage, Wilkinson, Youngs, Stevens, Thompson, Cole, Deacon, Lawes, Croft, Moody, Haskell. Replacements: Hartley, Corbisiero, Palmer, Easter, Wigglesworth, Flood, Banahan. Venue: Eden Park, Auckland. Kick off: 8.30am BST. We’re in uncharted waters, though, England and Scotland having never faced each other on neutral turf. The 1991 World Cup semi, of course, being held in Scotland, which for tournament purposes that year was technically part of England. So all we have to go on is recent form, which should be enough for England. They’re Six Nations champions; have won three of the last five meetings between the two sides, losing only once, in 2009 at Murrayfield; and have at least scored a few tries at this World Cup, where Scotland have been pretty turgid on the whole. Still, the Scots also have a habit of seriously upsetting England every now and then – for every 1991 World Cup there’s a 1990 Grand Slam decider or a 1999 Five Nations smash ‘n’ grab – so both camps have cause for hope. Got that? Me neither. Let’s muddle through. Scotland will avoid the plane, goin’ hame, hiding in the lavvy when the ticket man came , only if they beat England. And then they need more points than Argentina get from their result against Georgia; or to beat England by more than seven points with England failing to score four or more tries; or to beat England by scoring four or more tries with England failing to pick up any bonus points. England will be sent homeward tae think again if Scotland win by eight points or more and England fail to score at least four tries, and Argentina pick up a bonus point when beating Georgia. Or if both Scotland and Argentina win with bonus points for scoring four or more tries, and England fail to pick up any bonus points. England will finish top of Pool B if they avoid defeat in this match at Eden Park. They can still top the group if they lose by fewer than eight points or score four or more tries, as well as stopping Scotland scoring four or more tries. England against Scotland, Scotland against England, in the World Cup, the losers quite likely sent homeward tae think again. It’s a game that requires no introduction, so I won’t jabber needlessly in your ear so early in the morning. You’ll be needing the permutations, though, no? Rugby World Cup 2011 England rugby union team Scotland rugby union team Rugby union Scott Murray guardian.co.uk
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England v Scotland – live! | Scott Murray
• Email your thoughts to scott.murray@guardian.co.uk • Press F5 to refresh this page or use our auto-refresher • Watch World Cup video highlights, interviews and more 65 min: A powerful run from Ansbro down the right. Parks switches play with a kick to the corner down the left. Gray looks for a second like getting to the ball first, but before he can think about banging it down for a try, Croft is over to get in the way. What an intervention! 64 min: England have responded really well after peering over the precipice. A couple of changes for Scotland: Hines and Rennie on, Strokosch and Barclay off. 63 min: PENALTY! England 9-12 Scotland. Wow, this is fast and furious. Wilkinson kicks for goal just in front of the posts, but Parks charges him down. Scotland break upfield, Paterson nearly reaching Danielli’s chip and chase, but Tindall covers well. Ashton kicks back upfield, England being gifted a penalty in the breakdown. And Wilkinson makes no mistake now, kicking a beauty straight between the posts from a tight position on the left. 59 min: A change for England just before that drop goal, by the way, Palmer coming on for Lawes. 57 min: DROP GOAL! England 6-12 Scotland. You can’t keep a good man down! From the restart, England win half-decent field position out on the left, midway in Scottish territory. The ball’s fed back to Wilkinson, who kicks a gorgeous goal between the posts. How can he score that, yet miss his effort earlier? The strange complexities of sport, in a nutshell. 56 min: PENALTY! England 3-12 Scotland. Paterson kicks majestically, the ball staying just on the correct side of the right-hand post. This match really is on now. 55 min: In the English 22, some more faffing around in the scrum. England are eventually penalised for bringing down the scrum yet again. Paterson will kick from out on the left. If this goes over, Scotland will find themselves in pole position for the first time, and England will be in danger of an early exit. 53 min: Was this Scotland’s chance gone? Danielli chips and chases down the left, and so nearly latches onto the ball deep in the corner. He can’t get to it, but de Luca is just behind him. All he has to do is pick the ball up, take two steps, and plonk the ball down for a try, but he lets the ball slip through his hands like a bar of soap, and the chance is gone. Oh my. You can’t be passing up opportunities like that, especially when you play in a team who struggle to score tries. 51 min: This is all England. A penalty from halfway is kicked to the corner. England win their line out, then fling the ball around awhile. They’re looking dangerous – then Parks intercepts a loose pass and breaks upfield! The ball’s fed out to Paterson on the right, who kicks long and finds touch near the England 22, the pressure suddenly off. Very poor stuff from England, who really had the Scots under the cosh for a minute there. “It’s not so much ‘fannying around’ in the scrum as Matt Stevens driving across and Dan Cole slipping his bind,” opinesNath Jones. “Add in Steve Thompson popping up every time the pressure’s on and I’ve no idea how England aren’t being penalised more often.” 49 min: England win more turnover ball, this time in the Scottish 22! They shift it back into the pocket for Wilkinson, who goes for a drop goal right in front of the posts. He surely must add three points, but screws a hopeless effort wide left. That was abysmal . Wilkinson, ever the gent, has the good manners to look extremely embarrassed. 47 min: England steal the ball at a scrum against the head, Tindall taking control of a ricochet. Youngs is so close to breaking free down the right, but ends up knocking the ball on. England are on top here, but Scotland are just about managing to repel them. This is tense stuff, both teams massive sacks of nerves. Aren’t weekends supposed to be relaxing? 46 min: A lot of fannying around by both teams at a scrum. A lot of fannying around. 44 min: Tuilagi is putting himself about, the white shirts of England putting together a few passing phases in the Scottish half. Scotland look shocked by England’s fast start to this period. “Am I the only England fan hoping Scotland sort of do this?” asks Dan Lucas. “It’d be nice to see Andy Robinson get one over on the RFU, it might prompt them to get a real coach in – Johnson is about as open minded as Jeremy Clarkson – and no one likes to see posh people win.” 42 min: Already it looks as though England are more on their game. Tuilagi intercepts a telegraphed pass, and sets Armitage scampering free down the left. He so nearly makes it to the try line, but he’s nudged into touch at the last. Scotland go long at the line out and clear upfield. The danger’s over, at least momentarily, but England already look a different team, and will be energised by that. And we’re off again! An interesting comparison between the two dressing rooms at half time. Martin Johnson had England standing in a circle, no time to rest, his bollocking too severe to enjoy while kicking back and relaxing. Scotland coach Andy Robinson, meanwhile, was standing with one hand in pocket, very much the casual man at C&A, his players sitting on the benches. England certainly need a kick up the hole; another 40 minutes like that and they’ll be on the plane home. So here we go, Scotland kicking off. They’ve made a change: Max Evans off, Nick de Luca on. HALF-TIME ADVERTISEMENT BREAK: Geddon! HALF TIME: England 3-9 Scotland. And that’s that for the half. A very impressive one from Scotland; another like it, and they’ll be staying in New Zealand a wee while longer, while the English go home. But England surely can’t play as badly as that again in the second half. Surely Jonny Wilkinson can’t kick as badly as that again. And it’s worth remembering – though how could you forget – that England remain in the box seat for qualification. 40 min: DROP GOAL! England 3-9 Scotland. Yes he can! Good foraging by the Scottish pack, and the ball’s snapped back to Parks, who threads the ball through the target from short range. 39 min: Scotland are competing very well in the scrum. They win the ball against the head for the fourth time in the match. Then England are penalised for dragging the whole kit and caboodle down yet again. It allows Scotland to kick for good field position at the end of the half. Can they set Parks up for another drop goal effort? 36 min: A good response from Scotland, who set themselves up in the England 22 and throw it hither and yon. Parks shuttles the ball out right to Ansbro on the wing, but the Scot is dumped into touch by Armitage. Just for a second, it looked like Scotland were going to score a rare tournament try. But no. 34 min: PENALTY! England 3-6 Scotland. Nope, Wilkinson’s not going to miss four in a row. He makes no mistake, slotting the ball between the posts and bothering the scoreboard for the first time. 31 min: Scotland, who aren’t exactly the most expansive outfit at this World Cup, are to their credit trying their best to put together a few passing phases. Nothing’s quite coming off for them, though; they don’t exactly look like threatening a try. By way of comparison, England have been pretty stodgy, yet when they get the ball out left to Armitage, there’s an electricity in the air. Armitage goes nowhere, but his mere presence causes panic in the Scotland ranks, and when he’s tackled, Ross Ford comes hoving into the resulting melee at a preposterous angle, gifting England the penalty, 20-odd yards out. Wilkinson won’t miss four in a row, surely? 28 min: The ball’s been kicked this way and that. A couple of very decent kicks into the England 22 by Dan Parks, who isn’t always the most reliable. Scotland win some good field position, and feed Parks in the pocket for the drop goal attempt, but like last Sunday against Argentina, he’s not been given much time or space to work with, and although he gets his effort on target, this time his kick falls short. 25 min: England have the momentum now. Scotland are penalised for hitting a man in mid air. England have a penalty in the middle of the park, just to the left of the sticks. He really should put three points on the board for England, but he misses this one as well! The ball curls off to the right. That is unspeakably poor. A real let-off for Scotland, who have been under the cosh since going 6-0 up. 22 min: Scotland launch a garryowen, which they reclaim, but the forwards have been sauntering back like men popping down to the shops for the paper, a pint of milk and a packet of fags, and it’s offside. Wilkinson opts to kick for goal from the halfway line, but while his kick is on target, it’s short. 21 min: England look a wee bit flustered in the face of this decent Scottish start. Youngs needlessly steps into touch when looking to set England off from the halfway line, and the ball’s gifted back to the Scots. 19 min: Scotland are first to everything at the minute. Youngs fannies around at the breakdown, allowing Ford to steal it away, but then Scotland can’t recycle, holding onto the ball on the ground. An England penalty from out left, near the halfway line, in a strong wind. Wilkinson steps up and goes through the usual routine, but he can’t stroke the ball over, his kick sailing to the left of the posts. 16 min: PENALTY! England 0-6 Scotland. Mike Blair takes a quick tap penalty and runs up the right flank to the English ten-metre line. Dan Cole fails to roll away after tackling, and it’s a penalty to Scotland, out on the right. Parks hits a long, flat kick in between the posts – but did it go over the bar? The referee goes to the video booth – the guys hanging around with the flags aren’t sure – and turns out the ball just tipples over the bar. What a surreal series of events. Parks has the decency to look highly amused by the incident. 14 min: A lot of faffing around at a scrum. Scotland are penalised for turning the scrum. There are already signs that the English pack are bossing it in terms of strength, but again there’s a niggly error by England in the engagement, and the pressure’s off the Scots. 12 min: Scotland with the ball in their own 22. England are offside at the breakdown. There’s some backchat, too, and a 10-metre penalty. Scotland tear off into English territory. They’re flinging the passes around quite nicely here, having come out strongly. Scotland have clearly decided to go for it, a no-brainer, really, as it’s do or die for them. England have already made quite a few infringements; it’s been a problem all World Cup, and it’s something they can’t afford here. 9 min: PENALTY! England 0-3 Scotland. That’s a great kick by Paterson, who arrows a very tricky penalty through the posts. 8 min: The English front row collapses at the scrum, Dan Cole the man dragging it all down. Penalty for Scotland. Will the usually dead-eyed Chris Paterson be able to convert it, from near the left touchline? 6 min: A chip through down the right, Evans chasing after it and getting to the ball ahead of a very sleepy Foden. It gives Scotland good field position, but instead of continuing to run the ball, they opt for a cross kick towards Lamont. Poor decision, as Lamont can’t gather the ball and England will have the scrum. But this is a strong start from the Scots. 5 min: An early blow for Scotland: Ruaridh Jackson is injured and can’t continue. He’s replaced by Dan Parks, and goes off in tears. Ee, he’s a poor lad. Wrong code, sorry. 2 min: A determined start from Scotland, the captain Kellock winning an English put-in at the line-out. They look to break up the right flank, but flinging the ball around isn’t a Scottish strong point, and there’s a knock on. A breathless start. “Poor showing from the Scots at the anthems,” opines Gary Naylor. “No tears, only one caveman and two blokes who look fifty years old.” I miss amateur rugby, when it looked as though everyone had just bundled out of the nearest pub, gaddered on whisky or real ale. Scotland still often play it, of course, but not in that sense. And we’re off! The crowd count down to the start – “FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE!” – and England get proceedings under way. What at atmosphere. A line out at the Scottish 22, Scotland putting in, at which England transgress. Scotland can clear their lines. The teams take the pitch, and there’s quite an atmosphere. The guy with the wooden bassoon gives it a bit of Mulligan and O’Hare. Lewis Moody and England jog out; Alastair Kellock and his men give it a bit of ersatz David Sole, and walk out if not slowly, then at least at medium pace. It’s all to the accompaniment of dreadful portentous music. Speaking of which, it’s time for a blast of God Save The Queen. Then a tootle of Flower of Scotland, played with neither bag nor pipe. Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Scotland: Paterson, Evans, Ansbro, S. Lamont, Danielli, Jackson, Blair, Jacobsen, Ford, Murray, Gray, Kellock, Strokosch, Barclay, Vernon. Replacements: S. Lawson, Dickinson, Hines, Rennie, Cusiter, Parks, De Luca. England: Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi, Tindall, Armitage, Wilkinson, Youngs, Stevens, Thompson, Cole, Deacon, Lawes, Croft, Moody, Haskell. Replacements: Hartley, Corbisiero, Palmer, Easter, Wigglesworth, Flood, Banahan. Venue: Eden Park, Auckland. Kick off: 8.30am BST. We’re in uncharted waters, though, England and Scotland having never faced each other on neutral turf. The 1991 World Cup semi, of course, being held in Scotland, which for tournament purposes that year was technically part of England. So all we have to go on is recent form, which should be enough for England. They’re Six Nations champions; have won three of the last five meetings between the two sides, losing only once, in 2009 at Murrayfield; and have at least scored a few tries at this World Cup, where Scotland have been pretty turgid on the whole. Still, the Scots also have a habit of seriously upsetting England every now and then – for every 1991 World Cup there’s a 1990 Grand Slam decider or a 1999 Five Nations smash ‘n’ grab – so both camps have cause for hope. Got that? Me neither. Let’s muddle through. Scotland will avoid the plane, goin’ hame, hiding in the lavvy when the ticket man came , only if they beat England. And then they need more points than Argentina get from their result against Georgia; or to beat England by more than seven points with England failing to score four or more tries; or to beat England by scoring four or more tries with England failing to pick up any bonus points. England will be sent homeward tae think again if Scotland win by eight points or more and England fail to score at least four tries, and Argentina pick up a bonus point when beating Georgia. Or if both Scotland and Argentina win with bonus points for scoring four or more tries, and England fail to pick up any bonus points. England will finish top of Pool B if they avoid defeat in this match at Eden Park. They can still top the group if they lose by fewer than eight points or score four or more tries, as well as stopping Scotland scoring four or more tries. England against Scotland, Scotland against England, in the World Cup, the losers quite likely sent homeward tae think again. It’s a game that requires no introduction, so I won’t jabber needlessly in your ear so early in the morning. You’ll be needing the permutations, though, no? Rugby World Cup 2011 England rugby union team Scotland rugby union team Rugby union Scott Murray guardian.co.uk
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