Ellis Genge, reflecting on the scars left by the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa, has noted a significant improvement in England's scrum performance. This resurgence was sparked by the painful memories of a narrow loss, where a critical scrum penalty, conceded by Genge himself, allowed Handre Pollard to slot a late penalty, edging South Africa to a 16-15 victory. This moment has since fueled both personal and team developments in the set-piece battles.
Despite a lackluster Six Nations campaign where England finished fifth, the scrum emerged as a silver lining. Genge expressed satisfaction with the team's unity and resilience during this period. "I was just happy with the way the boys stuck together," Genge shared with The Daily Mail. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is currently reviewing the team's overall performance, seeking candid insights from players like Genge, who noted, "They just ask for honest feedback, honest answers, and just give it to them."
The scrum, a traditional strength for England, showed marked statistical improvement. "We had a +18 penalty differential, the next highest was six, so the scrum went well," he added. This improvement sets the stage for their upcoming challenge against the Springboks in the Nations Championship at Ellis Park, a venue steeped in rugby history.
"It’s a real test, isn’t it? Most definitely, 100%,"
Genge is acutely aware of the formidable South African pack, widely regarded as one of the most dominant in recent history. Preparations for this encounter are meticulous, with an emphasis on getting the basics right, from scrum cadence to player equipment. Genge humorously lamented the modern preference for less robust footwear, contrasting it with his own choice of traditional 12-studded boots necessary for scrum stability. "People want to wear molds now to play rugby, and I’m showing my 12 studded 24 mm and ask how the 'F–k do you run about in them?' I don’t want to wear them, but I have to," he explained.
Looking back at the World Cup penalty that has haunted him, Genge described the moment as an "open wound." "Well, not hammered, but your scrum lets you down and you want to rectify it," he stated, emphasizing the deep personal and national disappointment felt. This incident has driven him to enhance his physical and technical prowess to ensure such a pivotal moment does not define his or England's future performances.
As England gears up for the challenging summer ahead, the focus is clear: to translate their scrum dominance into success against the world's best. "Everyone’s beatable," Genge remarked, a statement filled with the promise of redemption and resilience. As they prepare to face the Springboks, it is not just a test of strength but of character, and England seems ready to rise to the occasion.
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Ellis Genge, reflecting on the scars left by the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa, has noted a significant improvement in England's scrum performance. This resurgence was sparked by the painful memories of a narrow loss, where a critical scrum penalty, conceded by Genge himself, allowed Handre Pollard to slot a late penalty, edging South Africa to a 16-15 victory. This moment has since fueled both personal and team developments in the set-piece battles.
Despite a lackluster Six Nations campaign where England finished fifth, the scrum emerged as a silver lining. Genge expressed satisfaction with the team's unity and resilience during this period. "I was just happy with the way the boys stuck together," Genge shared with The Daily Mail. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is currently reviewing the team's overall performance, seeking candid insights from players like Genge, who noted, "They just ask for honest feedback, honest answers, and just give it to them."
The scrum, a traditional strength for England, showed marked statistical improvement. "We had a +18 penalty differential, the next highest was six, so the scrum went well," he added. This improvement sets the stage for their upcoming challenge against the Springboks in the Nations Championship at Ellis Park, a venue steeped in rugby history.
"It’s a real test, isn’t it? Most definitely, 100%,"
Genge is acutely aware of the formidable South African pack, widely regarded as one of the most dominant in recent history. Preparations for this encounter are meticulous, with an emphasis on getting the basics right, from scrum cadence to player equipment. Genge humorously lamented the modern preference for less robust footwear, contrasting it with his own choice of traditional 12-studded boots necessary for scrum stability. "People want to wear molds now to play rugby, and I’m showing my 12 studded 24 mm and ask how the 'F–k do you run about in them?' I don’t want to wear them, but I have to," he explained.
Looking back at the World Cup penalty that has haunted him, Genge described the moment as an "open wound." "Well, not hammered, but your scrum lets you down and you want to rectify it," he stated, emphasizing the deep personal and national disappointment felt. This incident has driven him to enhance his physical and technical prowess to ensure such a pivotal moment does not define his or England's future performances.
As England gears up for the challenging summer ahead, the focus is clear: to translate their scrum dominance into success against the world's best. "Everyone’s beatable," Genge remarked, a statement filled with the promise of redemption and resilience. As they prepare to face the Springboks, it is not just a test of strength but of character, and England seems ready to rise to the occasion.