Lions would be better on R&R

IF Sam Allardyce had taken the England squad to a Royal Marines base for a couple of days, it would have been a boot camp.

When Gareth Southgate does it, it’s a mental challenge, it’s all about leadership.

If Sam Allardyce (below, bottom) had put his players though soldiers’ sheep dips, it would have been basic stuff and, let’s face it, old hat.

When Gareth Southgate (below, top) does it, it’s innovative and refreshing.

The players who went to Devon were queuing up to say what a wonderful experience it was.

No, they wouldn’t rather have been playing golf or wouldn’t rather have been at home with their families.

Of course not, and when it comes to trying to play your way through pesky opponents such as, er, Iceland, who knows how crucial that night in a tent might be?

Maybe they did learn something, maybe it will stand them in good stead, but the simpleton in me wonders if they would have been better off just resting.

Harry Kane and his Spurs team-mates ended a gruelling campaign with a trip to Hong Kong for a match.

After the game at Hampden Park, there is this meaningless fixture in Paris on Tuesday.

Tottenham head to the States in little more than a month’s time to take part in the pre-season International Champions Cup.

Kane has played tournament football in each of the last two summers.

The Premier League season kicks off early, August 12, and, with still no winter break, the chances of the England squad being in peak condition going into Russia 2018 will be slim and none.

Fat lot of good two days with the Marines will be then.

IT is a measure of Andy Murray’s consistent excellence over the past decade that reaching the last four of the French Open barely registers on the British sporting consciousness.

Whatever happens against Stan Wawrinka today, to reach another Grand Slam semi-final, after his struggles earlier in the year, is another measure of Murray’s brilliance and single-mindedness.

He is a knight of the realm, a threetime sports personality of the year and is still oddly underappreciated.

Oh, and he pays his taxes here and always will.

The man’s a national treasure.