MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 03:54:51| >> :600:3052114:3052114:

England will have the edge in heat and humidity of Japan - Jones

England will have the edge in heat and humidity of Japan - Jones
© Reuters
Jones has taken England to the same location as he took Japan ahead of the World Cup four years ago.

Eddie Jones believes England have an edge over their World Cup rivals because of the steps taken to ensure they are ready to play in the sweltering heat and humidity of Japan.

Two training camps in Treviso, north east Italy, in July and August followed by eight nights in Miyazaki have subjected the squad to the boiling conditions which they will encounter over the coming weeks.

Temperatures regularly top 30 degrees while the humidity level climbs above 60 per cent every day, but rather than be intimidated by the oppressive climate Jones sees it as a feature of the first Asian World Cup that can be exploited.

Jones is confident his side have adapted well in Japan
Jones is confident his side have adapted well in Japan (Adam Davy/PA)

"We're looking forward to playing in the humidity," Jones said at England's official arrival press conference on the island of Kyushu.

"We've prepared for it and it's obviously a big part of rugby in Japan in September and October. We feel like playing in the humidity will give us an advantage."

As coach of Japan four years ago, Jones took the Brave Blossoms to the same location for an extended training camp that helped produce the nation's finest performance at a World Cup.

Although they narrowly failed to reach the quarter-finals, they stunned South Africa to stage the greatest upset in rugby history in a victory that had its origins in Miyazaki.

"I think I can still see some of the sweat of the players lying on the ground! It's still there!" England's head coach said.

Jones coached Japan to a famous World Cup win over South Africa in 2015
Jones coached Japan to a famous World Cup win over South Africa in 2015 (Gareth Fuller/PA)

"It's a great place to train – great facilities, the weather's fantastic, the food's good and the people are friendly. It's nice to come back here.

"The players have a number of opportunities to do different things. They can play golf, they've been down the beech. It's a place where you can prepare to win and that's why we came here."

England landed in Tokyo on Monday and although their exit from Narita Airport was delayed by five hours due to the fallout from Typhoon Faxai, they have not encountered any further issues.

"The first part of the World Cup is always dependent on your travel. We had a vigorous travel schedule, but we've settled in well now and have got used to the conditions," Jones said.

"Players have been out and about a bit. We've deliberately had quite an easy training week but we'll increase that starting today (Saturday).

"The players have adjusted really well. We're very positive and there's a good feeling in the camp. Everyone is ready to start work now.

"We've actually had to pull players back because they wanted to work harder. We've had a variety of activities on and off the field.

"The players feel like they've adapted to the environment as well as they can and now they're ready to begin the serious preparation for the World Cup."

Mako Vunipola will miss the start of the tournament
Mako Vunipola will miss the start of the tournament (Adam Davy/PA)

Jones confirmed that Mako Vunipola (hamstring) and Jack Nowell (ankle) will not be available until the key Pool C games against Argentina and France next month.

England open their World Cup title quest against Tonga on Sunday week and their Australian boss hopes they will gather some local fans.

"The Japanese love the All Blacks and that isn't going to change, but I'm sure we'll get our fair share of support," Jones said.

"We'll get some good support and it will make a difference because Japanese rugby crowds can be quite quiet. If we've got a number of people supporting us, it could make a difference."

ID:371376: cacheID:371376:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9079:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Steve Borthwick pictured during an England training session on November 9, 2018
Read Next:
Steve Borthwick looking to repeat Japan heroics with England
>
Read more about Eddie Jones Rugby Union
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Blanch
Nadal
10am
Cachin
Ofner
10am
Elahi Galan
Bautista-Agut
10am
Gasquet
Sonego
10am
Hanfmann
Mensik
10am
Koepfer
Carballes Baena
10am
Kovacevic
Medjedovic
10am
Lajovic
Monteiro
10am
Machac
Ruusuvuori
10am
Michelsen
Fonseca
10am
Nishioka
Auger-Aliassime
10am
O'Connell
Arnaldi
10am
Purcell
Giron
10am
Ramos-Vinolas
Kotov
10am
Tabilo
Cobolli
10am
Zhizhen
Kecmanovic
10am
Azarenka
Maria
10am
Eala
Cirstea
10am
Annie Fernandez
Potapova
10am
Gauff
Rus
10am
Keys
Camelia-Begu
10am
Podoroska
Navarro
10am
Karolina Schmiedlova
Jabeur
10am
Swiatek
Wang
10am
Baez
Van Assche
10am
Coric
Zverev
10am
Martin Etcheverry
Shapovalov
10am
Humbert
Van De Zandschulp
10am
Hurkacz
Draper
10am
Marozsan
Cerundolo
10am
Paul
Klein
10am
Rublev
Bagnis
10am
Altmaier
Fils
10am
Darderi
Fritz
10am
Griekspoor
Daniel
10am
Munar
Struff
10am
Musetti
Seyboth Wild
10am
Navone
Rune
10am
Shevchenko
Alcaraz
10am
Alexandrova
Krueger
10am
Andreeva
Noskova
10am
Bejlek
Kalinskaya
10am
Boulter
Montgomery
10am
Bronzetti
Rybakina
10am
Collins
Danilovic
3pm
Cristian
Krejcikova
10am
Dolehide
Kalinina
10am
Garcia
Wang
10am
Linette
Sabalenka
10am
Pavlyuchenkova
Saville
10am
Sorribes Tormo
Svitolina
10am
Vekic
Sakkari
11.30am
Arango
Yastremska
11.30am
Osaka
Samsonova
11.30am
Ostapenko
Bouzas Maneiro
1pm
Haddad Maia
Errani
2.30pm
Lourdes Carle
Kudermetova
2.30pm
Mertens
Stephens


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!