Steve Borthwick has ushered in a new club-side ethos to England’s Test set-up ahead of the Six Nations.
The new England boss has revamped the training schedule, mirroring more closely a club team’s daily structure.
England now carry out all their training and preparation in one block at their bespoke Pennyhill Park training centre.
By the time players return to the hotel section of their long-term training base, the majority of their work is done.
Former boss Eddie Jones loved to keep his players on their toes as to schedules and when they would be required to be switched on, both during the day and in the evening.
Borthwick’s switch sets up a clearer delineation between work demands and down time, with the players already warming to the new regime.
“It’s really enjoyable, we’re just getting to grips with things that have changed,” said Northampton flanker Lewis Ludlam.
“The set-up has changed quite a bit and the way that the week is set up. It feels like there is a new excitement around the team, and a slight change in focus.
“Steve wants the team to be ready to fight for each other, to work hard and that’s been evident from day one, which is really positive.
“The structure in terms of when you do walk-throughs, when the big sessions are, just a few little things are different in terms of how we train and how we prepare.
“The general set-up of the week has been a little bit different.”
Jamie George linked back up with the England camp on Thursday, to continue his graded return to play protocols after his concussion on Saracens duty.
Saracens boss Mark McCall believes George could be cleared in time to train fully with England on Thursday next week, should he go through all his concussion protocols swiftly.
George was withdrawn from Saracens’ 20-14 Champions Cup defeat at Edinburgh on Sunday, and has since started his 12-day recovery period.
England sent him back to Saracens at the start of the week, but he has now joined Borthwick’s squad again.
The 32-year-old still remains a doubt for next Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Scotland, but England will give him every chance to prove his fitness.
