Lancaster restores order in the England rugby team

England name starting XV to face Fiji

Four years ago, England’s beaten quarter finalists returned home from New Zealand almost unnoticed. There was certainly no welcoming party at Heathrow.

The team was unsuccessful and unloved and in the words of the then coach Martin Johnson his squad had “….dragged rugby through the mud.”

That carnage was inherited by Stuart Lancaster but far from seeing it as a hospital pass, Lancaster embraced the opportunity. And perhaps, as a former teacher he was the perfect choice – both to restore order, instil some discipline and inject a bit of humility into the players.

As he approaches Fiji on Friday, Lancaster told me four years on, the team is now very much in his image.

Lancaster believes that recognising the responsibility that comes with representing England, the connection with supporters and even with grassroots rugby makes each and every one of them a better player.

This perspective will also be an important tool as they manage the expectations of playing in a ‘home’ world cup.

Of course there are huge advantages – the familiar surroundings, their usual training base and running out at Twickenham should be worth a few points in each big match.

Also the players will have the chance to pop home on days off, see their families, get away from the spotlight – a release valve most of the other teams don’t have.

And Lancaster says when it comes to Friday, the opening game, that is how he’ll frame his last comments to the squad as a group - he’s not one for standing up, Churchillian style and barking out a rousing, pre-scripted monologue.

But when the players disappear down the tunnel will a small part of him think 'I wish I was going out there with them, as a player not a coach?'

You can take the teacher out of the classroom but...