Neil Mitchell in stark call on Saxons

Stourbridge Saxons director of rugby Neil Mitchell has issued a stark warning to his under-performing front five ahead of this week's visit to unbeaten Ealing Trailfinders.

Mitchell, and Saxons' forwards coach Chris Fortey, were both renowned for their direct methods as players, and they have adopted a similarly forthright approach with their charges following last week's disappointing 25-20 home defeat by Blackheath.

And Mitchell said: "We lost last week's game because we were bullied at the scrummage by Blackheath props Des Brett and Simon Legg.

"They are both experienced, powerful scrummagers, but I was particularly upset by our failure to front up.

"We conceded half a dozen penalties in the scrum and did nothing about it other than sulk. Opposition are exposing weakness up front, and it has got to stop.

"At training on Tuesday, Chris and I addressed the issues with the forwards, focusing on the front five.

"I have heard all sorts of excuses from the players, but ultimately they have to take accountability for their actions, when faced with this kind of situation.

"Chris and myself are in total agreement about this, we are both old-school forwards, and are very disappointed that our pack failed to respond to being repeatedly out-foxed at scrum engagement."