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Scotland could train with England
ENGLAND are interested in holding a joint training session with Scotland in the near future after striking a similar arrangement with Wales.
Sportsmail has learned that English and Welsh forwards will lock horns in a joint session in the build-up to the upcoming autumn Tests — an innovative arrangement understood to have been instigated by Eddie Jones.
The England head coach wants to take his players out of their comfort zone in the two years leading up to the next World Cup, and this appears to be an early step in that process.
Sources have indicated that talks have also taken place about the option of England and Scotland training together, too.
The latest word is that the Anglo-Scottish venture is unlikely to go ahead during the forthcoming Test window, but the plan may not be off the table entirely.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is renowned for his progressive approach to coaching and has sought inspiration in the past from the likes of La Liga giants Barcelona, for example.
The collaboration between the other two home nations will take place prior to England’s encounter with Argentina at Twickenham and Wales’ showdown with Australia in Cardiff. For now, there is no suggestion that it will be the first of many such sessions between the nations — usually such fierce enemies in rugby terms.
England are also thought to be planning a training head-to-head with Georgia as part of their preparations for the Six Nations early next year. For now, that proposal — with its obvious logistical challenges — has not yet been confirmed, but the will is there to make it happen.
The level of paranoia within rugby about codes, plays and practice drills being worked out by opponents is such that shared training sessions are all but unheard of at international level.
Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward had a similar idea before the 2003 World Cup, but his proposal for a joint training session with France was rejected by coach Bernard Laporte.
If nations have been hesitant, clubs have been branching out in this way. Bath worked with the Newport-based Dragons in pre-season, while Harlequins and London Irish trained together last month.