England rugby stars blow off steam in training and Prince Harry drops by to watch annual open session at Twickenham in front of 10,000 fans

England's rugby stars blew off some steam in training on Friday, but not in the traditional sense of the phrase – in fact, far from it.

Eddie Jones put his side through their paces on a freezing cold Friday morning's annual open training session at Twickenham in front of an incredible 10,000 fans.

And that has been the case all week for this England side, who, after last week's 12-6 win over Wales, remain on course to not only defend their Six Nations crown but also claim their second Grand Slam in three years.

Dylan Hartley and his fellow England's stars blew off some steam in training on Friday

Dylan Hartley and his fellow England's stars blew off some steam in training on Friday

Chris Robshaw and the rest of the squad braved the freezing cold at Twickenham

Chris Robshaw and the rest of the squad braved the freezing cold at Twickenham

Flanker Sam Underhill, who impressed against Wales, goes through some resistance training

Flanker Sam Underhill, who impressed against Wales, goes through some resistance training

Prince Harry even braved the cold to join the 10,000-strong crowd at Twickenham

Prince Harry even braved the cold to join the 10,000-strong crowd at Twickenham

There's no rest for the wicked, they say, and that is certainly the mantra England are carrying throughout this Six Nations campaign.


Following a training-heavy start to the week, the England squad, who sit second in the table behind Ireland due to points difference after two rounds, continued to put in the hard yards.

England defence coach Paul Gustard said: 'Today’s been a great training opportunity in front of 10,000 people. Prince Harry was brilliant. 

'It’s awesome that he supports rugby in general but his support for our national team is superb.'

Anthony Watson was able to take part in the session at HQ, but neither Owen Farrell nor Joe Launchbury were present.

Watson was expected to be rested until next week because of an unspecified lower leg injury, but the British and Irish Lion lined up on the left wing in front of a 10,000-strong crowd.

Eddie Jones is ensuring no stone is left unturned in the preparation for Scotland next week

Eddie Jones is ensuring no stone is left unturned in the preparation for Scotland next week

Skipper Hartley also puts in the hard yards with the resistance training in Friday's session

Skipper Hartley also puts in the hard yards with the resistance training in Friday's session

Robshaw strains as he lifts weights on the field at the annual open session at Twickenham

Robshaw strains as he lifts weights on the field at the annual open session at Twickenham

Farrell was absent as he continues his recovery from his own injury, the details of which have not been revealed, and Launchbury was also missing. 

One person who was not absent, however, was Prince Harry, who braved the wintry conditions at Twickenham to watch the England boys train. 

'We've had a different week this week. A few guys have been on different programmes just to freshen them up for next weekend,' defence coach Paul Gustard said.

'They've been modified in terms of their weight training, conditioning and rugby programme.'

England's NatWest 6 Nations title defence resumes against Scotland at Murrayfield next Saturday following successive victories over Italy and Wales.

The champions' try-line was kept intact against Warren Gatland's men in one of the best defensive displays of the Jones era, and Gustard had sensed the performance was coming.

James Haskell, who was added to the training squad this week, holds the rebounder ball

James Haskell, who was added to the training squad this week, holds the rebounder ball

Fellow back-rower Nathan Hughes is also ramping up preparations for his potential return

Fellow back-rower Nathan Hughes is also ramping up preparations for his potential return

England wing Jack Nowell speaks to Prince Harry during Friday morning's session

England wing Jack Nowell speaks to Prince Harry during Friday morning's session

'At times we had to fight and show resilience. Wales found a bit of space in the backfield to put kicks into and that's something for our backfield cover to look at,' Gustard said.

'The general feeling was that there was a good energy about us. Defence isn't always perfect but that kind of feeling the players had... we felt on it all week.

'Our training performance on the Monday and Tuesday leading into the game were exceptional and that translated into Saturday.

'The effort was outstanding and obviously the result was brilliant.'

The highlight of the victory was Sam Underhill's stunning try-saving tackle on Scott Williams when Wales trailed 12-3 and their fightback was fully under way.

'Sam was on the floor, he slipped and his fight to get back on to his feet is great, but we train for those moments,' Gustard said.

'We train hard, we train tough and there was plenty of effort in the game. That moment just looked nice because it was close to the corner flag and it was a pivotal moment in the game.

'There were times in the game when the boys went over and above and there were huge tackle counts from people like Mako Vunipola. So we are really pleased.' 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Jones put his squad through a gruelling session against the mighty Georgian pack, ensuring no stone is left unturned in their preparations for their next fixture.

Following this fallow week, Jones's men travel north to Murrayfield in hope of making it three wins in as many outings in the campaign.

Prop Dan Cole also lifts the heavy weights after a gruelling week for the England pack

Prop Dan Cole also lifts the heavy weights after a gruelling week for the England pack

Prince Harry takes to the field with World Cup-winner and England team manager Richard Hill

Prince Harry takes to the field with World Cup-winner and England team manager Richard Hill

Anthony Watson took part in the session at HQ but Owen Farrell and Joe Launchbury did not

Anthony Watson took part in the session at HQ but Owen Farrell and Joe Launchbury did not

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