NICK CAIN
READ HIS EXPERT OPINION EVERY WEEK

Here is a New Year prediction. The scrum will be hugely influential in the 2023 World Cup in France, and its importance will be reinforced over the next 10 months in the lead-in to the tournament.
Here is another. Steve Borthwick’s new-age England cannot afford to be left behind if they are to have a realistic chance of challenging for a second world title. This is because the leading powers in the game now, South Africa, France, Ireland, and New Zealand,have all developed strong scrummaging packs because they recognise the crucial benefits of...