Scotland were the latest team to feel the wrath of the English scrum during their dramatic 16-15 Calcutta Cup loss at the weekend as the England front row won numerous penalties, gave away none and didn’t lose a single scrum on their own put-in.
In England camp, the scrum is going to be one of the most combative places and it’s really competitive but you have to know that you’re training for everyone to get better, not trying to pop someone out the top or collapse it.
And when asked whether England want a dominant scrum to be a key part of their identity, Stuart’s answer is unequivocal.
As recently as last summer, he was being milked for two scrum penalties in the second Test against New Zealand at Eden Park by ferocious All Blacks loosehead Ethan de Groot but responded to have a quietly impressive autumn.
“Our tighthead group is unbelievable, we’ve got so many good lads, young lads coming through – Thomas, Archie Griffin, two other starting internationals, Billy Sela who is going to be a world beater, it’s a great group to be part of.”.
