What Springbok coach Matt Proudfoot has done to England's scrum strategy since arriving
Joe Marler has revealed that England have been encouraged to use the scrum as an attacking weapon by the man who plotted their downfall in last autumn’s World Cup final.
Matt Proudfoot’s arrival as forwards coach has brought a renewed emphasis on the scrum that has been evident in dominant set-piece performances so far in the Guinness Six Nations.
Proudfoot performed the same role for South Africa during their march to World Cup glory that ended with a 32-12 victory in the Yokohama final, with Eddie Jones’ men being taken apart in the scrum.
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Marler’s arrival on the pitch early in the second half steeled England and the Harlequins prop’s career has been rejuvenated by a renewed emphasis on his area of expertise.
“Steve Borthwick (the outgoing forward coach) had turned us into a world-class outfit in the line-out, particularly in the way we maul,” Marler said ahead of Saturday’s game against Wales at Twickenham.
“But Matt has come in and added a different mindset and mentality to the scrum and a little bit of licence to attack there more. Which is always nice for a prop to hear!
“I like the way Matt Proudfoot works. He’s a very emotive character and places a huge amount of pride and respect on the set-piece still, which is great for someone who enjoys the set-piece.
“In terms of mindset, he’s taught us that the back five stay on longer, particularly on defensive scrums, as opposed to what most back-rowers do which is periscope. You can’t blame them because they’ve got another job to do.
“But they also have to back themselves that if they stay on the scrum and we get a result there, or make an impression there, then they will have an easier job getting off to make a tackle because it’ll be that much further behind the gain line.
“It’s about trying to get the back-rowers to buy into loving scrummaging, as much as we do. It’s been quite noticeable so far – we’re seeing back-rowers smiling for a scrum session!”
Marler’s thoughts are echoed by Saracens colossus Maro Itoje, who will pack down in the second row against Wales.
“We have always seen the scrum as being important, but Matt has probably come in and placed a greater importance on it with both sides of the ball – when we have it when the opposition puts in,” Itoje said.
“It’s the responsibility of not just the front row, but everyone in the pack. When the scrum is getting marched forward, front-rows get massive pats on the back.
“But as a second-row and someone who can also play in the back row, I get just as much enjoyment out of winning a scrum penalty as I do a maul penalty. They are both massive parts of the game.
“I have experienced being on the other side of a team where they have a dominant scrum and it is not nice and it is not comfortable.
“We like to use our scrum as a weapon and when you can’t use your scrum as a weapon it is almost seen as a weakness and it is not a place you want to be in.
“Every pack would say the same thing in terms of trying to have a dominant line-out, maul, but when you are on the receiving end of a pack that is coming at you, marching over you at the scrum, marching you backwards, it’s not nice.”
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Adding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
2 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
4 Go to comments> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
4 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
2 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
7 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
4 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
7 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to comments