England will struggle to replace Marler and Cole

HERE is a prediction. England will not win another World Cup, or Six Nations Grand Slam, or even Six Nations title, until they sort out their scrum.

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That scrum message was rammed home in England's last-gasp World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa in Paris last weekend after veteran starting props Joe Marler and Dan Cole were both taken off between the 51 and 55 minute mark.

After advocating throughout the tournament that loose-head Marler and tight head Cole were England's strongest scrummaging props, and should be selected to start together, it was good to see it finally happen and to watch them nullify the heavy-duty South African scrummaging threat until their second-half departure.