England ready to face Fiji in World Cup opener

England trained on the pitch at Twickenham on Thursday (17 September), just a day before the hosts kick-off the 2015 Rugby World Cup against Fiji in the same famous stadium.

England go into the match on Friday (18 September) evening with the weight of a nation on their shoulders, but assistant coach Graham Rowntree says the hard work in training camp has prepared the players for the challenge.

Rowntree says the players are looking forward to embracing the “time of their lives”.

“We have been ready for a couple of weeks. We have trained exceptionally well. It has been a long three months. Been a tough camp for them. We have had a good work out against two great nations in our warm-up games, but the lads are fitter than they have ever been. This is the time of their lives for our lads. I am excited for them,” said the England assistant coach at a news conference on Thursday.

England have been drawn in the toughest group in tournament, alongside Wales, Australia and Uruguay, as well as Friday’s opponent Fiji.

Although much of the talk pretournament has been on England’s match-ups with fellow heavyweights Wales and Australia, Fiji are seen as possible dark horses at this year’s competition, following their success at the Pacific Nations Cup earlier this year.

However, Rowntree says England are focussed on the Fijians, and highlighted the threat of lock forward Leone Nakarawa, who has impressed this season at Pro-12 winnger Glasgow Warriors.

“They (Fiji) have got some challenges across the board haven’t they?” said Rowntree.

“Particularly like their second row - Nakarwara. He is a real prospect. We have got to keep him quiet, never mind the (number) nine. So, we have done our homework on them, because that is the respect we give to any opposition and we are ready for them. But our guys are a handful as well, they have got to stop us, on our home turf.”

However, Fiji will not only have to contest with England’s abundance of stars, but they will also have to face the Twickenham crowd, something England lock Geoff Parling thinks will count in the host’s favour.

England are now on a seven-match unbeaten at the home of rugby, not losing since a match against New Zealand in Novemeber 2014.

“Well, I think we all appreciate what a special experience it is playing at Twickenham. Our form at Twickenham is very good. I think we have won the last seven there so definitely a helping factor for us to have a familiarity and same routines. So, I do think it will help us and push us on,” said Parling.

England play Fiji at 1900GMT on Friday, after an opening ceremony to start the tournament.