Here’s a tale of three props that illustrates where England are painfully slow out of the blocks when it comes to fast-tracking front row talent.
One of the biggest consolations New Zealand will take from their recent 3-1 series defeat by South Africa is that they have uncovered a loosehead with mint credentials in Xavier Numia.
Every time the Hurricanes No.1 came off the bench in the last three Tests he stabilised a New Zealand scrum which was in danger of being steamrollered by the South African pack.
On each occasion the improvement Numia made to the All Blacks platform enabled them to m...