French scrum doctor for Highlanders

Editor

Frenchman Marc Dal Maso is spending some time with the Highlanders during their preseason.

Dal Maso , who is credited by Japanese coach Eddie Jones with having turned their scrum into one of the top five in the world, has been broadening his knowledge with the Highlanders coaching group.

Dal Maso met the Highlanders coaches during their recent short off-season visit to Japan, that meeting led to the opportunity for some professional development in New Zealand.

While his methods are at times a little unconventional – try having the scrum coach standing on top of the scrum for size – he has plenty of scrum experience of his own to draw on. Dal Maso played 33 times for his country from 1987 – 2000, including the 1999 World Cup Final.

Since finishing his playing career in 2003 Dal Maso has had various coaching positions; taking up a role with the Japanese national team in 2013.