Government prepared to make strict ruling on the future of the scrum

Rugby News

by Steven Smith

Wednesday, 29 July 2020 at 14:43

bySteven Smith

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Below the elite level of rugby union, Sports minister Nigel Huddleston’s says grassroots restart has serious ‘challenges’ with no scrums becoming an increasingly likely outcome.

Community rugby remains on the second stage of a six-part road map for a phased return in the UK.

Speaking today, Huddleston was very cautious when asked whether recreational rugby would be back next season. “I hope so but where you’ve got full contact, there are some sports – judo, karate, other full contact sports – where there’s particular challenges,” he said.

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11:31 AM · Jul 29, 2020

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“I think inevitably there are going to be some changes. It could be broadly recognisable, but the reality is, for a temporary period of time, we’re going to have to probably see some changes.”

According to the Times, World Rugby’s Law Review Group has highlighted scrums and mauls as high-risk areas of the game that could be adapted or removed entirely by unions around the world to resume competition.

When it was suggested to Huddleston that there might be no scrums in recreational rugby until after Christmas, he didn't rule it out: “Potentially, but we’ll have to see. It will be based on medical and other advice.”

LIST | 5 wonderkids who could star for England at 2023 Rugby World Cup

1. Josh Hodge

Current number of caps: 0
Position: Fullback
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 23

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One of England’s most exciting upcoming talents, the fullback is built in the same mould as All Black Damian Mckenzie. Safe under the high ball and blessed with incredible pace, expect him to play a key role f=or Newcastle Falcons on their return to the Premiership. Hopefully he'll then be in a place to make a bid for international honours.

2. Marcus Smith

Current number of caps: 1
Position: Fly-half
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 24

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Smith's rapid rise shows no signs of slowing down – it took barely a year for him to go from captaining Brighton College in an unbeaten season to involvement in the senior England squad. Therefore, it's not unthinkable that he'll be leading England's bid to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time.

3. Jack Maunder

Current number of caps: 1
Position: Scrum-half
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 27

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A lot of the English scrum-halves are ageing, meaning this is a direct choice between the Exeter Chiefs man and Ben Vellacott. However, his emergence as a premier playmaker in such a short space of time makes us think he will continue to get better, which will lead to him establishing himself in the England set-up.

4. Joel Kpoku

Current number of caps: 0
Position: Lock
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 24

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The next star off the Saracens production line may be Kpoku, although the lock has been linked with a move to Northampton Saints due to the presence of Itoje, George Kruis and Nick Isiekwe at his current club. An incredibly hard-hitting carrier in the mould of Eben Etzebeth, a selection in the coming months would not be surprising.

5. Joe Marchant

Current number of caps: 3
Position: Centre
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 27

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A black belt in karate and also a former England schools finalist in gymnastics which would suggest the centre is blessed with power and poise! Has been involved in Eddie Jones's squad in the build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and is someone we'd expect to step up heading into the 2021 Six Nations when he returns from Super Rugby and beyond.