Jones brings in scrummaging guru Dal Maso to work with England

England head coach Eddie Jones has brought old friend Marc dal Maso on board as a consultant to fine-tune the scrum in the build-up to the 2019 World Cup.

Dal Maso previously worked under Jones and alongside forwards coach Steve Borthwick with Japan at the 2015 World Cup and is renowned as one of the world’s foremost scrummaging gurus.

The Daily Telegraph understands that he will join on a three-day-ayear contract but will provide further support in the form of video analysis from afar. He will link up with the squad for the first time before the autumn international fixtures against Argentina, Australia and Samoa.

The former France hooker is the full-time forwards coach at Toulon and Jones had to seek the blessing of owner Mourad Boudjellal to make the appointment official. Dal Maso’s arrival continues the trend of Jones bringing in consultant coaches. Previous guest coaches have included George Smith, the former Wasps flanker and breakdown expert, Jason Ryles, a rugby league defence specialist, and Glen Ella, who has twice been employed to help with England’s attack.

Dal Maso’s role will supplement rather than replace Neal Hatley, the current scrum coach. In his three years with Jones, Dal Maso totally transformed the Japanese scrum. From being a perennial weakness, Dal Maso ensured one of the lightest packs in international rugby could hold their own up front. The Brave Blossoms’ scrum was even a key component of their shock 34-32 victory against South Africa in the World Cup pool stages.