Lee Mears: Soon to be the new nose of Kenco...
England must front-up and be switched on if they are going to match a near-perfect Scotland scrum, according to Graham Rowntree.
Scotland may only have the one win in this year’s competition but their ferocious scrum has claimed its fair share of scalps along the way.
Rowntree, whose trademark cauliflower ears serve as a reminder of the brutal physicalities of front-row aritistry, said: “There are not many bigger packs around the world than Scotland and what they did to Ireland and Italy, and indeed to South Africa and New Zealand in the autumn, shows their forward play, not just their scrummaging, has really improved.”
Euan Murray has been at the core of Scotland’s savage set-piece and Rowntree admits he is a “big fan” of the Northampton Saints prop.
England hooker Lee Mears can’t wait for the “huge battle” with Murray after the pair made acquaintances during Bath’s draw at Franklins Gardens earlier this season.
“All tight-heads wander into my area at some point or another, so i’ll be looking forward to having a word in his ear at the weekend.
“Scotland has just started to play together and like us, they’ve kept a similar side and are blessed with big units. Murray’s scrummaging well, Alastair Dickinson’s a livewire and they’ve got big bruisers in Nathan Hines, Jason White and Jim Hamilton.”
Mears, who is reaping the rewards courtesy of Martin Johnson’s selection policy, is anticipating Scotland to throw the kitchen sink at the red rose pack.
“We must express ourselves and put pressure on Scotland even when we haven’t got the ball. We must force them to work outside of their game plan.
“Whenever you play away, you’ve got to dominate the opposition forwards and they stand a good chance, especially with great attacking options like the Evans brothers. [Thom and Max} It’s going be tough day."