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So what goes on at the Scrum? with England scrum coach Tom Harrison

Squidge Rugby

114,815 views

For generations, backs, spectators, commentators, the lot have considered it rugby's great mystery: What actually goes on at the scrum? Well, with huge thanks to the RFU, we headed to Northampton to lift the lid on the dark arts with England & former Leicester Tigers scrum coach Tom Harrison. So, where should you look, how important is the second/back row, how can a smaller pack beat a bigger one, why are teams sometimes dominant one scrum then struggle the next, how do you play to a referee, and ultimately, what goes on at a scrum?

A full version of the interview will be released for Patreons!

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20 Comments

@matthewgreen8264 2 years ago

I'm really glad that borthwick invited non traditional media to film something like this. I hope he takes other YouTubers seriously as they have been criminally underutilized by world rugby

@Gilescowdemdem 2 years ago

Made a snarky comment on twitter about how it shouldn't come down to an independent creator to be making this kind of educational content and it should be in the domain of the RFU/WR. In light of the knowledge that the RFU are involved in this video has to give kudos to them for allowing Squidge access. Awesome content.

@christopherodonovan 2 years ago (edited)

The work of that female Welsh Flanker to control the ball for the eight was absolute text book. Thats type of thing is what you love about Rugby

@jamesbrown6817 2 years ago

Even as a self-proclaimed scrum nause I learnt something. More of this type of content would be most welcome.

@antonymorris1962 2 years ago

Yeah it’s official. Squidge is literally the most insightful place to get rugby content anywhere in the world, new media or old. Brilliant video

@jotoolethrower 2 years ago

Does this mean your future videos will tell us what actually happened? I love your back line and breakdown analysis, if you can bring that technically to the scrum you’ll do what no other rugby pundit does.

@gavinsmith28 2 years ago

As a former flank, lock and even prop, I love scrums. I think we should have a scrum ref come on for major internationals who knows what’s going on . I really have seen too many bizarre decisions…

@777Hunterh 2 years ago

Thanks, Squidge. You have done more for Rugby Union with this video than anyone else!

@ConnorDoesRugby 2 years ago

That was genuinely amazing to watch and so jam packed with information and some things I wouldn’t even have thought about keeping an eye on at scrum time. I’ll try and keep it in mind before shouting at the TV next weekend🤣

@jacobusveeger5641 2 years ago

Love this, could listen that big fella chat about scrums for days

@mathisduvot4313 2 years ago

french viewer here : I enjoy very much your channel, but it would be incredible to have english subtitles, since it can cost me a lot to follow all the subtleties of your content. (i kind of get used to your voice, but with other intervenants i just give up!). thanks anyway and keep up the quality content ! :)

@kristanto11 2 years ago (edited)

14:04 O’Mahony holding up Porter’s elbow from hitting the ground 😅

@wynandvanzyl8798 2 years ago

I am so glad you did the scrum. Many people don't understand it, and I have a sick feeling that some pundits want to make the scrum irrelevant.

@LMcAwesome 2 years ago

That was fantastic. As a League second row who started playing Union a few years ago Ive gradually moved from the backs to the forwards and what to actually do and why in the scrum has always been an absolute mystery to me. Ive always just shoved as hard as i can, except when playing flanker or 8, in which case i barely push at all because ive got another job to do. Like Squidge says, neither I nor anyone I ever watch rugby with ever seems to have any idea whats going on at a scrum and why its always a penalty so this really fascinating to watch.

@hitchikerspie 2 years ago

Properly enjoyed that material, it’s definitely my weakest area as a ref and even having a few more key pointers to look for is immensely helpful

@Picathartes92 2 years ago

This after your video on international kicking strategies, fantastic! Thanks for providing fans the opportunity to develop their technical rugby literacy, it adds a level of enjoyment to warching games :)
Maybe try and get Borthers in the chair to talk line-outs? As a forward I've never understood attacking shapes beyond drawing numbers and hands down the line so that would be great to learn about too

@matthewnordoff7017 2 years ago

Brilliant. More of this please. Maybe an analysis of individual scrums throughout a tournament

@username-iq1nt 2 years ago

Scrums are such an entertaining element of the game. This is an awesome video, really sheds light on the “dark arts”

@The_Fresh_Mr_Breed 2 years ago

This is now officially my favourite Squidge video, which necessarily then means it is my favourite video on Youtube; and therefore the whole of the internet - surpassing my previous favourite which was the Squidge Video on kicking, and in third place @thekiffness's remix of the Springboks' pre-game chant.

@PeterFynes 2 years ago

Brilliant Video! Have never commented on anything on YouTube but this deserves being the first. Love all of Squidges' stuff but would really like more of videos like this - professional explanations of technical aspects.