The secrets of England's Rugby World Cup training base have emerged after Stuart Lancaster's men were forced to leave the state of the art complex at the Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey and South Africa moved in.
The Springboks are taking advantage of the facilities left vacant by the departed English as they try to go one better than the tournament hosts and defeat an injury-ravaged Wales team in their quarter final on Saturday.
With the "veil of secrecy" now lifted, the Daily Telegraph reveals that "inspirational quotes from figures as diverse as [Arnold] Schwarzenegger, Muhammad Ali and Arthur Harrison, the only English rugby union player to have been awarded a Victoria Cross, [were] emblazoned across the walls of the indoor training centre".
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Arnie's contribution to the English World Cup effort is believed to have read: "Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength."
However, the paper reports that much of the English signage has now been painted over. It says that before quitting the facility the vanquished English "went to the trouble of covering up a giant red rose insignia and even the quotes, lest other teams draw inspiration from them".
They did not take all of their training equipment, though, and "the tools that were supposed to propel England to World Cup glory are now at South Africa’s disposal". It is claimed that dumbells weighing up to 85kg have been left for the South Africans.
Some plaques "have been removed and locked away in a room, along with other specialist equipment", reports The Times.
But South Africa are pleased with their new base, says the paper. "The hotel swimming pool is a little on the cold side for Bryan Habana, the wing, but otherwise the Springboks have been hugely impressed by England's set-up."
