Rugby World Cup organisers have confirmed 41 training bases will be used
throughout the tournament in September and October next year.
“It’s great to have Pennyhill Park as our training base,” said
Lancaster.
“It’s a place we are used to – the facilities are first-class,
especially with the new training centre.”
Wales are perhaps the next biggest winners in the team base allocation, with
half of their Pool A preparations taking place at their usual home The Vale
Resort.
Warren Gatland’s men will play two of their four group matches at the
Millennium Stadium, but also take on Australia and England at Twickenham.
Wales will be based at London Irish’s newly-completed all-purpose training
complex Hazelwood.
Gatland is expected to mirror RBS 6 Nations trips to Twickenham, with Wales
aiming to travel to London Irish’s set-up in midweek before their weekend
clashes in the English capital.
“The selection of team bases are extremely important for the squad’s
preparation and we were very impressed with the packages on offer from the
approved venues,” said Gatland.
“We are very familiar with The Vale and their pedigree for hosting
sporting teams is second to none.
“In addition the new Hazlewood complex is another great base, which
really suits our needs.”
Tournament organisers England Rugby 2015 vetted more than 100 applications
from complexes to become team-base venues.
The final list of 41 centres, including pitches, state-of-the-art gyms,
swimming pools and hotels, allow teams the flexibility to based close to
each fixture.
Reigning world champions New Zealand will split their group phase between The
Lensbury and St Mary’s University in west London, the Sport Wales National
Centre and Darlington Mowden Park.
Ireland will move bases between each fixture, making use of Celtic Manor in
Newport, the FA’s centre of excellence St George’s Park, Surrey Sports Park
and the Sport Wales National Centre.
Scotland will rotate between Hartpury College, where Gloucester Rugby train,
Leeds Metropolitan University, the University of Leeds and Newcastle Royal
Grammar School.
Pennyhill Park and The Vale Resort are among the eight training bases for the
tournament’s knockout stages.
Chief executive Debbie Jevans believes organising committee England Rugby 2015
will provide all 20 competing nations with first-class bases.
“We are lucky to have some fantastic facilities right across the country
and the enthusiasm to be part of the tournament has been really encouraging,”
said Jevans.
“We are confident that we now have 41 high-quality training environments
which provide a home away from home for the teams.”
International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset also hailed the organising
committee’s preparations.
“The teams participating at England 2015 will have access to exceptional
facilities the length and breadth of the host nation.
“It is the attention to detail on and off the field that will elevate
this event to new levels.”
WORLD CUP TRAINING BASES
Argentina: Cheltenham RFC (Cheltenham RFC, Leisure@, Gym 66);
Haileybury School, St George’s Park.
Australia: University of Bath; Dulwich College.
Canada: Cardiff Metropolitan University; West Park Leeds RUFC (West
Park Leeds RUFC, John Charles Centre for Sport); Leicester Grammar School;
Swansea University (Swansea University, Wales National Pool Swansea).
England: Pennyhill Park; Salford (The AJ Bell Stadium, Irlam and
Cadishead Leisure Centre).
Fiji: Milton Keynes and MK Dons (Woughton On The Green, Bletchley
Leisure Centre); Swansea University; London Irish RFC (London Irish RFC,
Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex).
France: The Vale Resort; Trinity School Croydon.
Georgia: Woodbury Park and Bicton College (Woodbury Park Hotel and Golf
Club, Bicton College); Bristol and SGS Wise (South Gloucestershire and
Stroud College, Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre); Celtic Manor and
Newport(Newport High School/Active Living Centre, The Celtic Academy).
Ireland: Celtic Manor and Newport; St George’s Park; Surrey Sports
Park; Sport Wales National Centre.
Italy: Surrey Sports Park; Cobham RFC (Cobham RFC, ACS Cobham).
Japan: Warwick School; Brighton College.
Namibia: Loughborough University; Cobham RFC; Plymouth (University of
St Mark and St John, Plymouth Albion RFC, Plymouth Life Centre and Royal
Navy Rugby Union).
New Zealand: The Lensbury and St Mary’s University; Sport Wales
National Centre; Darlington Mowden Park (Darlington Mowden Park RFC,
Middlesbrough FC).
Romania: Sutton Coldfield RFC (Sutton Coldfield RFC, Birmingham
Metropolitan College, Wyndley Leisure Centre, CrossFitB76); Woodbury Park
and Bicton College, Dulwich College.
Samoa: Sutton Coldfield RFC; University of Brighton (University of
Brighton, Prince Regent Swimming Complex); Gateshead (Gateshead
International Stadium, Gateshead Leisure Centre, Gateshead College); Milton
Keynes and MK Dons.
Scotland: Hartpury College; Leeds Metropolitan University and
University of Leeds; Newcastle Royal Grammar School.
South Africa: The Lensbury and St Mary’s University; University of
Birmingham; Gateshead; Eastbourne College and University of Brighton
(Eastbourne College, University of Brighton – Eastbourne College).
Tonga: Cheltenham RFC, Loughborough University; University of Exeter;
University of Northumbria.
USA: Haileybury School; Hartpury College; Leeds Trinity University
(Leeds Trinity University, Kirkstall Leisure Centre); Portsmouth Royal Navy
Rugby Union.
Wales: The Vale Resort; London Irish RFC.
Final Qualification Play-off Winner (TBC): Celtic Manor and Newport;
Loughborough University; Moulton College; Manchester (Broughton Park FC
Rugby Union, The Hough End Centre, Manchester Aquatics Centre).
Knockout phase bases: Celtic Manor and Newport; Swansea University; The
Vale Resort; Sport Wales National Centre; Pennyhill Park; Surrey Sports
Park; The Lensbury and St Mary’s University; London Irish RFC.
Article source: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/brian-o-driscoll-walks-away-a-champion-1.1727107
Stuart Lancaster"s England rugby team secure Pennyhill Park as 2015 World ...
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