I WAS RFU President in 2013/14 and spent a few weeks with England U20s as they went on to win the World Championship.
Several of this team are now in the senior England squad. After training one day I asked two of the props, each 19, what was the purpose of a scrum.
They each responded ‘to win a penalty’.
This is what they had been coached at their Premiership clubs. I asked if their U20s forward coach, Ian Peel (now with Saracens) coached with this in mind. They each said he did not, and when Ian joined us, we had a very positive discussion.
Players are currently being coached ...