FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD: WHAT THE BIG BOYS ARE MUNCHING

Weighing up to 22st 11lb, the giants of the World Cup need their fair share of good food to keep them going.

Kitchen staff use nutritional science to devise menus that fuel players with up to 6,000 calories per day.

‘Our nutrition programmes come from lab- based research,’ said england’s nutrition consultant graeme Close. ‘if we get the food right, we can get those extra percentages out of the players.’

But players are sometimes allowed to compromise with home comforts — anything from sushi to goat pies. here, Sportsmail looks at what’s on the menu at this World Cup.

ENGLAND

BREAKFAST: Spinach, green beans, chicken, carrots, eggs, porridge, smoked salmon, toast.

LUNCH: Spaghetti carbonara, soybeans, curry, sweet potatoes, avocado, lentils, wholemeal pasta, brown rice, fruit.

AFTERNOON SNACK: Tuna wraps, protein shake, sliced meats.

DINNER: Cottage pie, chicken, steamed vegetables, beetroot juice.

WALES

BREAKFAST: Bison sausages, eggs, porridge, lava bread, fruit, nuts, mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus, potato rosti.

LUNCH: Three salmon fillets or four chicken fillets, two portions of carbohydrates, vegetables, fruit, low fat protein mousse.

AFTERNOON SNACK: Protein shake, chicken, salad, sliced meats.

DINNER: 12oz fillet steak, two portions of carbohydrates, vegetables, fruit, low fat protein mousse.

FIJI

The Pacific Islanders have turned to a farm in Norfolk for supplies of goat. Fiji’s kitchen staff bought in 15kg of the meat to make goat pies. The meat is popular in Fiji because of its low fat and high protein content.

ITALY

Gelato is one of Italy’s biggest food exports and the Azzurri rugby players are treated to ice cream one night a week. Martin Castrogiovanni revealed that ‘ice cream night’ is his favourite, but players are also allowed cake on birthdays.

JAPAN

Japan’s secret has been their pre-match sushi. On game days, they eat o-nigiri rice triangles and rice balls containing salmon or pickled Japanese plum.