England are just one day away from their return to Twickenham, as they host Wales in round two of the 2024 Six Nations tomorrow afternoon. England tight-head prop Will Stuart and scrum coach Tom Harrison rounded off the week of media events, ahead of tomorrow’s battle with Warren Gatland’s side.
As expected, the prop and scrum coach talked all things crouch, bind and set, including a look at the U20s talents that are progressing in the U20s Six Nations.
5 TALKING POINTS: WILL STUART AND TOM HARRISON PRE MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE – ENGLAND VS WALES – 2024 SIX NATIONS
1. ENGLAND’S RIVALRY WITH WALES AND WILL STUART’S ‘FAKE WELSH’ FRIEND
WILL STUART: “I’ve got an old school friend who supports Wales and pretends he’s Welsh. He used to get aggressively annoyed when England beat Wales. Now he’s got mixed loyalties! Him and his family say they’re Welsh but I’m not 100% sure. It was ingrained in me from watching England Wales games with them how much it meant.”
“It’s massive. (England v Wales) Loads is made of the rivalry but they’re a great side and keep battling. That’s part of the DNA we pride ourselves on as well. It’s about focusing on ourselves. You don’t want to be dragged into a certain way of playing. You focus on yourselves. It’s always a big occasion.”
TOM HARRISON: “It’s an interesting assumption to presume they would have an extra desire than us. There is rivalry both ways.”
2. THE FORWARD BATTLE – STUART RECOGNISES KEIRON ASSIRATTI’S SKILLS
WILL STUART: “He’s a good player. I played against him in the first couple of caps he had and then against Cardiff this season. He’s a good scrummager. They’ve also got Archie Griffin who is at Bath with me. It’s his first cap. He’s another young lad with a big future. They’re good players.”
TOM HARRISON: “We’re concentrating on what we can do well and that’s getting to the contest. They’ve got some good players in that group. They’ve got some good young players and some good experience. What we’re focusing on this week is getting to the contest.”
“In every game of rugby the forward battle is huge. If you get your maul and scrum on top you can control the game. I think with the weather implications that’s just heightened.”