Singleton: Our scrum has found rhythm - The Worcester Observer

Singleton: Our scrum has found rhythm

Worcester Editorial 6th Sep, 2017   0

ENGLAND hooker Jack Singleton is confident Warriors have found their rhythm in the scrum following changes to the laws of the game.

The World Rugby Executive Committee approved the addition of six law amendments in August for rugby in the Northern Hemisphere, with three relating to the scrum.

One of those rules (Law 20) is striking after the throw-in, where, once the ball touches the ground in the tunnel, any front-row player may use either foot to try to win possession of the ball.

One player from the team who put the ball in must also strike for the ball, aiming to promote a fair contest for possession.




Singleton admitted the club had referees visit Sixways in the summer to take scrum sessions, to help prepare them ahead of the 2017/18 season.

“I’ve found the changes to the scrum alright. I’m quite used to striking. I used to strike when I was younger and when I was away with England we practised striking a lot,” said the 21-year-old.


“It’s a bit different here (at Warriors) as we didn’t do it last season very often, so there’s been a couple of changes but the main theme has stayed the same for us. It’s just about working on the timings with the 9s and doing extra with them.

“We tried certain things in pre-season but I think we’ve found our rhythm in the scrum now. We had referees come in and take sessions, but you never really know what it’s going to be like until you play in a game and see how the referees are actually going to manage it,” he added.

Singleton was called up for England’s tour of Argentina in June, but despite only being named on the bench for the two Tests in South America, he believes the experience has better prepared him for the domestic level of the game.

“Even though I went away with England, I still feel like one of the younger boys here,” he added.

“But the level of training we were exposed to out there was tough. It was a bit of an eye opener to see what it was actually like. I would say I’m better prepared fitness wise having trained (with England) and I know what the standards need to be like (to perform at that level).

“It’s always an aspiration to play for England, but you’re not going to play at that level unless you perform well for your club. You have to focus on what’s in front of you and that’s what I’m doing with Worcester.”

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