Absolutely correct - its all to do with a change that was made a few years ago to avoid some serious neck injuries which were occuring - one especially during the WC final england won.

In the past the two packs would almost charge at one another when in the crouched position. If the srcum was not set at the right angle it forces the "tight head props" head inwards into the middle of the scrum. With nowhere to go the scrum will collapse as the front frows are out of position and place even more pressure on the props neck.

The rule was introduced to reduce the speed and intensity of the initial impact and so place less pressure on the neck and avoid injuries. By having the pause it reduces the amount of power the front and second row can put into the initial hit.

SBW's skills are down to his boxing days...

I understand the positioning to prevent injury, but even after touching and pausing they still power into each other which can still cause injury.


Anyone else noticed that they refer decisions to the TMO (television Match Official) not the Video Referee like us League people.

But the tocuhing and pausing allows them to get the correct alignment so that they can bind properly to reduce the liklihood of injury. It will never prevent it as it is a contact sport and injuries are inevitable.

There really can't be many more pretentious phrases in sport that that one.

Just seen SBW compared to Jeremy 'Scared to play Wigan' Guscott. He should sue.