England’s rugby players could be forgiven for wondering which way is up. On Sunday they were in South Africa, next Monday they will be in South America and they are now in sub‑Saharan Surrey preparing to face Fiji in Liverpool this Saturday. Ironically it is warmer in Bagshot this week than it is in Suva, albeit with fewer coral reefs and fresh coconuts.
Regardless of the rotating backdrop, though, there is no disguising the lingering disappointment of the 45-21 defeat against the Springboks in Johannesburg last weekend. Victory at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium would not repair everything overnight but there is widespread acceptance within the camp that they need to rebound strongly on Saturday.
