Scrum causes concern for O'Sullivan
Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan believes the transformation of the scrum into a “collision” has resulted in the selection of monster props – to the detriment of the game.
The scrum has become an area of concern for the International Rugby Board following an increase in the number of back and neck injuries being sustained by front row forwards.
O’Sullivan claims the root of the problem can be found in the shift in emphasis from technique to using physical power generated by enormous props to gain the upper hand.
Ireland face feared scrummagers South Africa at Lansdowne Road on Saturday and O’Sullivan is worried by the development of the set piece into such a physically demanding battlegrund.
“The scrum has been problematic for a while. When you hit the other guy you have to drive his head down into his spine as far as you can and win that collision,” he said.
“That has precipitated the teams picking very big props, engaging from as far away as possible and then charging in like the Light Brigade – if you can get away with it.
“The scrum now is basically won and lost on the hit. If you get a big hit on the opposition you won’t have much problem winning the scrum.
“It’s changed the scrum as we know it. I don’t think it’s a good thing. There was a time when wily, small, smart props would do very well at the highest level because they could scrummage.
“I don’t think it’s possible for players like that to thrive any more. The scrum is in transition and has been for a while. The scrum wasn’t designed to become a collision but that’s what it is now.
“If you were a parent you wouldn’t encourage your child to be a front row player for that reason.
“Most mothers would worry if their son arrived home and said he was the new tighthead in the team.”
O’Sullivan insists Ireland’s inability to match rival nations in terms of size means they have been left trailing by the switch in emphasis.
“There’s not many Irish front rows out there so this is a problem area for us,” he said.
“Historically we were a very good scrummaging nation because even though we didn’t always have the biggest props we had the smartest props.
“We had guys who could scrummage at internationals. Now you just have to be big and powerful. We don’t genetically produce guys of that physique and that’s why we struggle.”
Munster props Marcus Horan and John Hayes have been handed the task of neutralising South Africa’s scrum after being included in the starting line-up for Saturday’s clash at Lansdowne Road.
They will be joined in the front row by the only change to the side beaten 37-15 by Australia in the summer with Ulster hooker Rory Best replacing shoulder injury victim Jerry Flannery.
Best’s Ulster team-mate and namesake Neil has been given the nod ahead of Simon Easterby in the back row while lock Donncha O’Callaghan is preferred to Malcolm O’Kelly, Ireland’s most capped player.
The only tight call in the three-quarters sees full-back Girvan Dempsey retain his place ahead of Geordan Murphy and O’Sullivan revealed selection had been based on form.
“There is only one change and that’s enforced. Our plan was always to put our best team on the field for the start of the November internationals,” he said.
“If you look through the team sheet, all of the players have been doing very well for their provinces. When I sit down to pick the team I use that four letter word – form.
“If you pick form players you selecting your best players. It gives them confidence and creates pressure.”
