If Alfie wants to pin down 8 for Wasps and England he's got a lot of work to do on his scrummaging technique. I'm always nervous when I see him trying to control the ball if the scrum is moving or if the opposition 9 is in close.
Agree completely.
I occasionally played 8, but I learnt quickly that although I was powerful when I picked it up and ran forward, I was not good at controlling the ball at the base, or protecting the 9.... To the point where I never really felt confident.
When Alfie was first playing 8, it was evident it was a new position to him.
His control was noticeably poor, some of his decision making when picking the ball up wasn't great and looked like it was relying purely on power, and it seemed that neither he nor the scrum half were really communicating effectively.
He's obviously still not mastered it all, but there is definite improvement in all areas, and continuing to play at 8 will only help that.
A good rest and preseason would likely see it all come in leaps and bounds, but that's probably out of the question