Scrum School bids to boost front- row numbers

SCOTTISH RUGBY hopes to tackle the potentially existential threat to the future health of the game posed by plummeting front- row player numbers with the launch of their new “Scrum School” initiative.

Through practical workshops supported by online resources, the programme aims to provide support to coaches and players with the ultimate goal of creating stronger, more confident and skilled front- row players.

The programme has been developed to support both youth and senior players in the male and female game, irrespective of their rugby experience, and will be delivered by more than 50 Scottish Rugby employees and club coaches who have undertaken Scrum School Coach Educator training.

A digital campaign will also be delivered to educate and inform players on the scrum, dispel common myths and misconceptions around playing in the front row, and share testimonials from frontrow players about their experiences.

“Prop and hooker are specialist positions in that you need to be trained in order to play there,” said Gav Scott, Murrayfield’s director of rugby development, who is a former hooker playing with Glasgow Warriors and reaching Scotland A level.

“We know in the community game that there has increasingly been issues with fulfilling fixtures because of a lack of front- row players, so it is an issue which we have wanted to address for a few years and it is great that we are doing that now. We also know that as you get into performance pathways and so on, there aren’t that many front- row players that end up getting into pro teams further up the chain.”

“We feel more people should be able to play in the front- row because it is not just for great big body shapes, but also for little people like myself,” he added.