The scrum is an integral and unique part of rugby union. The contest between two well coached and conditioned packs of forwards is both compelling and exciting.

To encourage quality scrummaging at all levels, the RFU Scrum Factory, sponsored by Marsh, course has been specially developed by Graham Smith and Matt Ferguson with the help of England Forwards Coach Graham Rowntree. It takes coaches and players through a journey, from developing and conditioning individual body posture, through to building an eight player scrum.

Rowntree said: "Seeing young players with such enthusiasm for playing rugby, and especially in the front row, is really encouraging. Props and hookers are vital to every team and to play in those positions requires a huge amount of skill and technique.

"Marsh’s support of The Scrum Factory enables us to extend the coaching for those techniques up and down the country and recruit more players into the front row which, for me, is great news.

"I was lucky enough to have had some very talented coaches throughout my playing career and without those guys I wouldn’t be here today. I’m sure the players involved in The Scrum Factory will find the expert coaching just as beneficial."

Effective scrummaging requires teamwork. Within that team, each individual must understand his or her role and be effective scrummagers. To achieve this, it is essential that the coach develops the individual before building the scrum.

The objectives of the RFU Scrum Factory course are to:

Develop safe and effective eight player scrummaging as an integral part of the game at all levels
Demonstrate good practice and introduce the latest developments in scrum coaching
Increase confidence in coaching the eight player scrum