Training performances influence coach as much as game day

Yet Stuart Lancaster revealed yesterday that such training exercises have proved invaluable in shaping a side that began their RBS Six Nations with victory in the Calcutta Cup.

England’s interim head coach has introduced a competitive edge to training, with the make-up of his starting XV determined as much by what happens on the practice field as how a player performs on the pitch.

“You make training competitive and that’s one of the things I’ve tried to do, certainly over the last two weeks,” said Lancaster, who has had only a week in Leeds and a few days in Surrey to prepare his new-look squad.

“For example, when we do 15 versus 15 tomorrow, I’ll try to make it so that the players who are on the fringes or are on the bench get a genuine opportunity to play.

“The session will be competitive, allowing the players to show their skills rather than just give them a bib and tell them to be a defender. It’s when you get that competition and desire for the shirt that you start to get high performances.

“Everyone has to train well. I place as much importance on how players conduct themselves in training during the week as on what they do at the weekend.

“I want to create a mindset where people are thinking about being excellent every day because that’s what it takes to keep or gain the shirt.”

England will train at the football academy by the O2 Arena today if the pitch at their Pennyhill Park base fails to defrost.

Toby Flood made his first appearance for Leicester at the weekend since damaging knee ligaments on New Year’s Day, but Lancaster stated the fly-half’s lack of game time all but rules him out of contention to face Italy on Saturday.

Scrum-half Lee Dickson could yet participate at the Stadio Olimpico despite breaking a bone in his left hand against Scotland.

“Lee saw a specialist last night and we’re very optimistic about his chances of being available this weekend,” said Lancaster.

n Leeds Carnegie’s postponed fixture at Nottingham has been re-arranged for this coming Saturday. Doncaster Knights’ game at Nottingham has been moved to next Wednesday night with their visit to London Welsh – which was postponed at the weekend – rescheduled for this Sunday because Welsh do not have floodlights and can only play at weekends.

Rotherham Titans’ postponed game with Cornish Pirates will be played this Saturday.