3. TOM HARRISON SPEAKING WITH ENGLAND U20 SCRUM COACH NATHAN CATT
TOM HARRISON: “I think, as a coach in any sport, especially in one where you’re always looking to develop and push on. It’s a platform to build off, but I think the key thing is when… and I’ve worked hard with Nathan Catt with this in the 20s program and the next players coming up, is ensuring that there is a pipeline of front rows that are coming through, and they grow, and grow, and grow and grow, especially around getting to the contest.”
“In camp I speak to him once a week, outside the camp it’s twice or three times a week we will spend. So, international coaching in and out of camp is a lot of driving and a lot of going to clubs and I’ll phone around. I’ll speak to you (Will Stuart), Tuesday at 4pm every single week.
“A lot of that time, what I would do is, if I was going to visit the Bath and Bristol areas, I’d meet Nathan as well. I’d make sure that we are aligned in what we are trying to coach, and keeping, and challenging each other with our coaching and he’s doing a fantastic job at the moment.”
“I’m excited by the guys coming through, but I’m excited by the guys that we’ve got. I’m making sure go at our own pace, and we take as much as we can from the guys that could be moving on, or coming into the group to make sure that the England set-piece and the England scrum continues to move forward over the next few years.”
4. THE INFLUENCE OF DAN COLE AND JOE MARLER IN THE ENGLAND CAMP
TOM HARRISON: “Steve picked the team which he thought is the best team to go out and win, and that’s the team that’s been picked for this game. In terms of having them (Dan Cole and Joe Marler) around, brilliant, what they realise is how they can enjoy the environment as well.
“As it is intense, and it is a demanding environment but they’re also showing the young lads actually how you can enjoy yourself, to the point that they may be more excited to play rugby. In terms of mentoring the younger players, they’ve been brilliant. Will’s always speaking to Dan. Sometimes not always about scrums, but they are always speaking to each other.”
5. INJURY NEWS – ELLIS GENGE IS READY TO PLAY AGAINST WALES
TOM HARRISON: “Yep, everyone’s good to go.” (in the match day 23).
“Yeah (Ellis Genge is) good. Did a full week of training and been scrummaging well. Good to go.”