SOUL OF SPORT: Inside England’s Rugby World Cup camp as they work away from prying eyes and gear up for their quarter final. KEVIN QUIGLEY captures training and the beauty of their surroundings
- England are currently waiting to find out who they will face next in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup
- They prepare for the last eight match at their training base, Le Touquet, a picturesque French resort
- KEVIN QUIGLEY was at HQ to record their sessions, downtime and local environment
- Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results
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Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. For our latest episode of the series, KEVIN QUIGLEY took a closer look at England’s World Cup training base.
Steve Borthwick’s side reached the quarter-finals with a game to spare, a stark contrast to their nightmarish warm-up campaign after Japan defeated Samoa.
They will next face the runners-up in Pool C, likely Fiji, although Wales are also a potential opponent.
Once again surrounded by the peace and quiet that Le Touquet, their headquarters in France, offers, the work will already have begun as they attempt to reach the last four.
Our man has been on site to capture the best moments and the picturesque surroundings of the city.
England train for their next Rugby World Cup match at Le Touquet, home to a casino that has inspired James Bond films
Nestled behind thick trees, Steve Borthwick’s team’s preparations continue, far away from prying eyes in the city
Head coach Borthwick will be at the center of each session as he hopes to lead his side to stunning glory this month
There is heavy security and high fences surround the fields, making training impossible and the plans remain secret
Large red roses are scattered throughout the state-of-the-art side headquarters, paying tribute to their infamous nickname
President Macron’s luxury holiday home in the resort is just a five-minute walk from the English camp
Journalists meet regularly to interview the players and coaching staff, gaining valuable insights in the build-up to matches
The main roundabout of Le Touquet features a large sign welcoming the England squad, as well as shirts for each individual player
The city has fully embraced the thrill and excitement of the tournament, with banners adorning the top of the busy shopping streets
On a roof in the camp, snipers are in position, apparently watching out for drones that could convey tactics to opponents
Westminster Hotel is also a short walk from the training ground and once hosted James Bond author Ian Fleming
Thanks to the facilities offered by Le Touquet, Borthwick has been able to embrace a varied training schedule for his challengers
Le Touquet is a small seaside resort in the north and is known for its gentle beaches, water sports center and vibrant nightlife