‘If you f*** up you’re out’ – England set strict rules for the Rugby World Cup

England prop Dan Cole claims the squad understands that the punishment will be harsh if anyone steps out of line off the field during the Rugby World Cup.

The almost two-month-long tournament demands a great deal from the players on and off the pitch and previous tournaments have seen teams getting involved in incidents away from the games, as it was with the Red Rose in the 2011 edition.

Trust in the camp

Cole revealed there is a “trust” between players and coaches with a clear understanding that if the line is crossed there will be harsh consequences.

“We’ve always been told there’s a trust. If you f*** up you’re out, basically. So no one f**** up. Or tries not to,” Cole said.

“Some people do it differently to others – some are more casual with their evenings, others are more professional – but it’s whatever works.

“Players and coaches know that when you’re on the field, there’s no hiding in a 33-man squad. If you’re not ready to go then people see it straight away.

“No one really wants to be in that position. That’s down to the squad culture and that’s why good teams are good.”

A high-profile incident from the 2011 edition was Manu Tuilagi jumping off a ferry into Auckland harbour which resulted in a fine and police warning. Cole says he has learnt from his involvement in that event.

“Well, I held his (Manu’s) phone. As a young person you learn,” said Cole.

“The squad learnt what you can and can’t do. If you decided to do that type of stuff you hurt the squad. It does not last for you for the day. It lasts for the rest of your career.

“We had times when we weren’t training in Japan and we did go out and explore. There’s a balance, you’re in these unique places and you might only be there once in your life, so you may as well enjoy them and explore.

“It’s a mental break – the pressure of the World Cup gets to you so it’s good to get out of your room.

“Le Touquet has made an effort to have us here so we might as well reciprocate and explore.”

Revived Test career

Since Steve Borthwick came in as head coach, Cole’s Test career has been revived and he is delighted to be back in the set-up.

“You come back from a World Cup and you’ve got bit of a point to prove, or a grievance,” Cole said. “You have that annoyance in yourself that you want to put things right, as you always do after a loss.

“That is the way I have been brought through at Leicester and England – you want to put things right straight away and after Steve took over Leicester, he laid down a challenge.

“I thought ‘we have got something to buy into here’ and that is what we did. It just becomes part of what you do, so when England came and said ‘we’d like you in the squad, would you like to help’? ‘Yes, I would love to’.

“I don’t think it is fuelled by anything. It is part of the way we have been brought up, especially at Leicester and England – every day you turn up and work and try to get better.”

READ MORE: ‘I suffered that wrath’ – Chris Robshaw knows all about Eddie Jones’ ruthless streak