Rugby Union: England go on parade

CLIVE WOODWARD'S England squad will be on parade when they endure four days of training with the Royal Marines at the end of next month in preparation for October's World Cup.

The squad play a Test match in Australia on 26 June, before reporting for duty at the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone, in Devon. Woodward said: "This is an excellent opportunity to complement our own training for the World Cup within a challenging environment. It will provide the players with severe tests of their team work, intelligence and ability to make instant decisions in difficult situations."

The programme includes sessions with fitness instructors and military activities, as well as normal rugby training. Kevin De Val, a Royal Marines spokesman, said: "We are honoured to be working with England. Marines are unique in that they train officers and men together."