CHRIS FOY: Steve Borthwick will launch URGENT mission to find next generation of props for England after scrum trouble led to 2-0 series loss to New Zealand The visitors' pack struggled once again against a dominant New Zealand side Borthwick has said England has 'to develop at tighthead' if they want to progress By Chris Foy In Auckland Published: 17:41 BST, 14 July 2024 | Updated: 17:42 BST, 14 July 2024 e-mail View comments Steve Borthwick will launch an urgent mission to fast track the next generation of formidable England props, after scrum trouble here contributed to a 2-0 series loss against New Zealand . Speaking the morning after his side had slipped to a 24-17 defeat at Eden Park, the national coach identified the set piece as an area of significant concern. The visitors' pack struggled again as the All Blacks capitalised on dominance in that critical area, and Borthwick will have to wait to discover if Dan Cole intends to play on at Test level, aged 37, in the knowledge that his front-row stocks have become chronically imabalanced.
'The England pack has changed from what was traditionally a very big powerful pack to more of a younger, dynamic pack,' said Borthwick. 'We have to bring some players through there. Clearly, we have to develop at tighthead.
That's one area we have to look at. You saw yesterday that the scrum was under pressure, so that's an area we have to improve. Steve Borthwick will launch an urgent mission to fast track the next generation of England.