Hunt is on for next generation of props
The Rugby Paper|December 17, 2023
FIVE years ago there was a scrum feature in The Rugby Paper which forecast that unless England developed a world class scrum in the year leading up to the 2019 World Cup they would not be world champions.
NICK CAIN
Hunt is on for next generation of props

The piece had been instigated after I witnessed the England pack concede a scrum penalty try to South Africa in Bloemfontein as they lost the second Test of their 2018 summer tour – and with it the series – after being blasted back over their own line.

It was such a rare occurrence during three decades of watching England scrums that it stood out like a warning beacon. The England props were Kyle Sinckler and Mako Vunipola, and their South African counterparts (fresh off the bench) were Thomas du Toit, now with Bath, and Steven Kitshoff.

The article also drew on the encyclopaedic scrummaging knowledge of Phil Keith-Roach, the scrum coach of the 2003 England World Cup-winning squad. With his customary laser-like focus, Keith-Roach said he found the lack of attention paid to the England scrum’s shortcomings against the Springboks alarming.

He commented: “It has a huge physical and mental effect on the game, whether it is now or at the World Cup, and it is frequently the difference between winning and losing. That is why the scrum is not a minor issue.”

His concern was magnified because what we had witnessed was a complete contradiction of the regularly repeated claims by Eddie Jones that he would restore England’s traditional scrum dominance.

We do not have to detail here the England scrum collapse in the first half of the 2019 World Cup final which led to their comprehensive defeat by South Africa. However, we should examine with utmost scrutiny why four years later England’s same scrum shortcomings were brutally exposed again by South Africa in their 2023 World Cup semi-final loss.

Denne historien er fra December 17, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 17, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
England can find a little bit of cheer
The Rugby Paper

England can find a little bit of cheer

SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
The Rugby Paper

Stop messing with Marcus - Campese

DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
The Rugby Paper

Being a Lion was the highlight of my career

I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
The Rugby Paper

Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half

THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
The Rugby Paper

Forwards pack a punch for the Reds

OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
The Rugby Paper

Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley

SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
The Rugby Paper

Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon

FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
The Rugby Paper

It's a whole new ball game for Rigg

WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt leads the way for Lightning

LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
The Rugby Paper

Becconsall: We need to release pressure

WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024