Le Touquet is a true jewel of northern France, located about 30 miles south of Calais.
After a tumultuous buildup, the players and management of England have found refuge in this pleasant seaside resort, which is known for its golf courses and other sporting events.
The head coach, an Englishman, made a joke about how unusual it was that they had found a town in France that liked English people.
Since arriving, the players and management have put up a joyful and carefree front. Everyone has shared their joy and satisfaction about participating in the Rugby World Cup.
However, England’s lack of momentum and form leading up to the World Cup is unprecedented.
According to a defiant Borthwick, England has been prematurely written off due to injuries, bans, and three humiliating warm-up defeats.
Owen Farrell, the captain, was among those suspended before the tournament began, but he is still confident that all will come together in time.
His Monday statement, “I have massive confidence in the group,” echoed that sentiment.
I am aware of the team’s abilities. I’ve seen how fast things can change before.
Danny Care, a veteran scrum-half with a checkered past in the World Cup, is another man in good spirits. Care’s joy has not been tempered by his ill-fitting suit at the welcome ceremony.
“It’s a bit of a pinch-me moment when we landed here in Le Touquet,” Care said on the Rugby Union Daily podcast.
Now that I’m here at the ceremony and have my cap in hand, it all seems very genuine. However, I have a nagging suspicion that I have the wrong DC’s jacket. My guess is that Dan Cole owned it.
Care, who has taken up padel tennis because their training facility is adjacent to a racquets club, boasts that he has already mastered the game, unlike lock Ollie Chessum.
In a new tradition, each member of the England team purchases a gift for the other 32 players. Marcus Smith’s selection of personalized golf clubs was met with the most enthusiasm.
“It’s something Ben Youngs brought in in 2019, he thought would be great for squad morale,” Care said.
Some of them, though, really came through. Marcus Smith presented you with a pair of Mizuno wedges with an angle of 60 degrees and the England rose emblazoned on them. To my mind, that’s the top choice.
You would have anticipated more from England’s all-time leading male player in terms of international appearances than the 32 travel adaptors that Ben Youngs brought along.
We’re going to go out there and see the local culture and make some memories since the World Cup is so wonderful.
But of course we’re concentrating on the practice field and doing things properly.
Fans, I beg you to have faith in us and to stay with us.
Care added that the players “have grabbed hold” of responsibilities after the humiliating loss to Fiji at Twickenham, and that numerous “open and honest conversations” have taken place since then.
“Having fun is an important part of Steve’s plan to impress. “It ought to be the most pleasurable experience possible,” Care chimed in.
That’s the world we’re working to make, but it won’t come about overnight. We’ve had a lot of stuff thrown at us, and most of the time, we just haven’t been good enough to handle it.
We have a shared sense of responsibility, and everyone is putting up their best effort to ensure success.
I’d want to thank the supporters for their continued faith in us. We’re aware that there’s a lot of chatter surrounding our squad right now, and we’d like the support of the supporters.
“We know we need to play better, and hopefully we will do that on Saturday.”
Even though almost all of Borthwick’s preparations have failed, a victory over the Pumas could turn the tide.
The England manager has been emphasizing peak performance since June, when the team first met in Marseille. Time is running out for that now.
Management has reported no new injuries, a welcome improvement after several weeks of bad news, suggesting that things may be turning around.
Borthwick reaffirmed, “We have been building towards September 9 and being ready for September 9.”
“This is it, the big dance,” Care chimed in. It could very well be the largest game I’ve ever been a part of.
A new edge has been added to training, and the boys seem more motivated than usual. We’re itching to get started.
