Will Stuart has quietly established himself as a crucial figure in England’s forward pack, proving to be a rock in the scrum and a consistently reliable performer. Once a position of concern for England, the tighthead role is now in safe hands, with Stuart leading the charge.
Just two years ago, England’s scrum was a major weakness, ranking among the worst in tier-one rugby. However, under the guidance of Tom Harrison, it has transformed into a dependable platform and a weapon in key moments. Stuart’s contribution has been central to this improvement, as he demonstrated in the recent Calcutta Cup victory over Scotland. Even when losing a boot during a prolonged defensive effort, his commitment never wavered.
Reflecting on the team’s progress, Stuart noted that while England previously conceded as many scrum penalties as they won, the goal now is to dominate cleanly and apply pressure without unnecessary infringements. Training has focused on maintaining a competitive yet disciplined approach, with an emphasis on improving collectively rather than simply overpowering teammates in practice.
With 48 caps to his name, Stuart is poised to reach his half-century when England face Wales. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and he is a strong candidate for selection on the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia. Though he made his international debut in 2020, much of his early career was spent behind Kyle Sinckler and Dan Cole. The last time England defeated Scotland at Murrayfield in 2020, he remained an unused substitute, a memory that still lingers.
Stuart has since become a mainstay in England’s starting lineup, beginning their last nine Tests and allowing the team to move forward without relying on the experienced Cole. With Joe Heyes providing backup and promising youngsters such as Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Afo Fasogbon, and Billy Sela emerging, England’s depth at tighthead is improving, but Stuart remains the cornerstone of the pack.
Despite the scrutiny surrounding England’s tighthead options, Stuart acknowledges that it took time to settle into his role as a first-choice player. In the past, he felt he hadn’t fully seized his opportunities, but his focus has shifted to consistency and doing his job effectively. He understands that his primary responsibility is to anchor the scrum rather than make highlight-reel plays.
That said, he did showcase his skill set with a well-executed looping pass in the lead-up to an Ollie Sleightholme try against Japan in the autumn. While such moments add variety to his game, his main source of satisfaction comes from excelling in his core duties.
At club level, Stuart benefits from competing alongside elite front-row talent at Bath, where he trains daily against top-class looseheads like Beno Obano and Thomas du Toit. The depth within the club’s tighthead ranks, which includes Wales’s Archie Griffin and promising youngster Billy Sela, has only pushed him to improve further.
Through dedication and quiet determination, Stuart has solidified his place as England’s first-choice tighthead. As England continue their campaign, he remains a crucial figure in their resurgence, providing stability in a position once viewed as a weakness.
