Matt Proudfoot’s props provide room service with tips

Planet Rugby

Let it not be said that England’s Covid invalids did not pull their weight despite being stuck in isolation. For Joe Marler and Ellis Genge, their positive tests have seen them reduced to the role of online coaches, dishing out advice ahead of the South Africa game from their hotel rooms.

England’s front-row has been left woefully depleted ahead of a match against probably the best front-row in the world (or two of the best, if you consider the bomb squad).

Two hookers down (Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie) and the two looseheads down as well because of this miserable virus, England’s front-row boasts 23-year-old Jamie Blamire, who has scored six tries in four Tests but has made only three starts for his club Newcastle, to pack down in the number two jersey with the uncapped Nic Dolly offering cover from the bench.

Undaunted

At loosehead, 21-year-old Bevan Rodd will win a second cap after acquitting himself well on his Test bow when acting as emergency cover against the Wallabies as the established looseheads recovered from Covid.

Forwards coach Matt Proudfoot insists England refuse to be daunted by the prospect of facing the game’s most feared scrum with such depleted resources as Genge and Marler lend their assistance from their hotel rooms.

“It’s not just about what Joe has off the field, but what he has on the field as well. The front row have been in contact, they’ve been working together as a front row with Joe involved,” Proudfoot said.

“He’s been giving guys advice. Ellis has been giving advice as well. We try and keep it as tight as possible in the front row and there’s a lot of knowledge to be passed on.

“Taking on the word champions is always a challenge and the scrum is going to be an area they’re very strong at.

“We’ve worked incredibly hard, the players are quality players and they’re determined to pull off the plan we’ve put into place and I’m sure it’ll be a great contest.

“A big part of this England set-up is resilience. Every setback is an opportunity for us. You either attack it or you let the opportunity dictate.

“That’s Eddie Jones’ philosophy which the team have bought into. Whatever happens we see it as an opportunity. Whatever comes we’ll attack it and make the best out of it.

“This is the most important game of the year for us. Our team is growing and developing. This is the most important hurdle for us.”

England were bulldozed at the scrum in Yokohama two years ago to lay the foundations for a crushing 32-12 defeat in the World Cup final, but the aim of avenging that set-piece horror show has been undermined by the injuries and Covid outbreak.

“We have two passionate packs of forwards who want to put their best foot forward,” Proudfoot said.

“The battle for momentum starts at the scrum, the side who wins those first couple of inches at a scrum time tends to win the penalties later in the game.

“The first half will be incredibly competitive. It will be about the two sides trying to build dominance throughout the game.”

Springboks bring in Cobus Reinach for England clash

Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber has named Handré Pollard and Cobus Reinach at half-back as they prepare to face England this weekend.

He has also recalled Lood de Jager at lock for the final Test of the tour against the Red Rose at Twickenham on Saturday.

Pollard (fly-half), Reinach (scrum-half) and De Jager were drafted into the starting XV in rotational switches, which sees Elton Jantjies and Herschel Jantjies join Franco Mostert among the replacements.