Ex-Springbok believes England have fixed their 'missing link'

Despite the criticism that has been directed at England for their tactics in their win over Scotland, former South Africa hooker Hanyani Shimange Shimange believes they have fixed a longstanding problem at tighthead prop this Guinness Six Nations through Will Stuart.

The Bath prop’s scrummaging performance against Pierre Schoeman was one area where England gained a discernible advantage in their scrappy 16-15 win at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

Tighthead prop has been a perennial issue for England, so much so that Steve Borthwick revived Dan Cole’s career when he took charge of the side. But Stuart – nine years Cole’s junior at the age of 28 – established himself as England’s starting No.3 during the Autumn Nations Series, and with the Leicester Tigers prop’s exclusion this Championship, he has thrived under the mantle of being England’s go-to.

Without the 48-cap prop’s timely scrum penalties, the pressure Scotland were mounting on England, particularly in the first half, may have proven to be too much. There is no greater sign of his domination than the fact that his head coach kept him on the field for 70 minutes, a move he seldom makes.

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Shimange has now encouraged England to build their pack around the tighthead, saying it was the position that was the “missing link” for them.

Speaking on RugbyPass TV’s latest episode of Boks Office, the nine-cap Bok suggested that England would have made the 2023 World Cup final had they had a stronger right side of their scrum, as a late scrum penalty sealed their fate four years after loosehead Tendai Mtawarira mauled their scrum in the final.

Already a contender to make Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions squad later this year, Shimange’s glowing endorsement continued with him backing Stuart to “attack” the Wallabies.

“I tell you one thing about England that they’ve got right is Will Stuart at tighthead prop,” he said.

“If you look at all the England teams that have done well – it’s similar to us – it’s on the backdrop of a solid pack.

“Tighthead was always the missing link. You consider the World Cup semi-final, if they were stable in that last scrum, the chances are they are through to a final. But I think Will Stuart is probably one find that they’ve got there. So I think you build a pack around him.

“I think for the Lions, have a look out for him in terms of tighthead prop.

“Against Australia, where do you attack them, it’s up front. Put them under pressure up front.”