Players recharging while remaining focused - Harrison
England scrum coach Tom Harrison has stressed the value of a bye week as the squad eye up quarter-final qualification
England sit at the top of Pool D after three consecutive weekends of Rugby World Cup fixtures, the most recent of which saw them secure a 71-0 victory against Chile at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
Players now have the opportunity to recharge their batteries before returning to Lille for their final pool game against Samoa on 7 October.
“Campaigns can be intense,” said Harrison. “You’re with each other all the time, and when we’re in England camp at Pennyhill Park we do have breaks at the end of the week to go tosee our families. It does get quite intense when you’re with the same people all the time, so it’s nice to have not just a physical break, but also a mental break to go and see your loved ones.
“People always talk about the sacrifices players make, but loved ones also make sacrifices. It’s great that the players can go away and have that recharge with their families, and I think the break has come at a good time. We’ve had a block of three games and it’s good to be able to refresh the mind.”
Focus must still remain on the job in hand, however. England are well aware of the threat Samoa will pose, so work continues to put the team in the best place for the encounter.
Harrison continued: “There is an expectation on the players that, while it is their downtime, we are still here to do a job and there are certain sessions that have been given by Aled Walters for the players to get through in their own time with the facilities they have.
“I’ve been relaxing by watching scrums and doing some training myself. I like to train because my mind relaxes and I find that I often come up with better ideas.
“We know the level that is required for us to achieve something special here, so our focus is on ourselves and how we can get better. Players are well aware of their responsibilities and what is required of them, but it’s important to get the right balance. World Cups are special because you’re playing at the pinnacle of you game and playing teams that you wouldn’t normally play, so it’s important that you are able to enjoy that time.”
