Information on Loughborough

University base for England Saxons Ireland preparations

Posted on 27/12/2008

Loughborough University Website

University base for England Saxons’ Ireland preparations

England Saxons will be making their final preparations for back to back international fixtures at a week-long preparation camp at Loughborough University.

England A side, the Saxons, meet for the first time as a full squad today (Monday 28 January) and will utilise the world class facilities on offer at Loughborough as they bond as a team ahead of their Ireland A clash on Friday (1 February).

Saxons assistant coach and former Leicester Tiger Graham Rowntree, who has used Loughborough’s facilities extensively during his 17-year playing career, is looking forward to returning to the University.

“We will be using our time at Loughborough to get our act together as a team and work on our playing style, calls and moves,” he explained. “Because most of the squad have played over the weekend we will be using the camp for recovery as well match preparation.

“The facilities at Loughborough are fantastic. They’re second to none, both inside and out, and there’s plenty of space. I’ve regularly used the facilities before with both Leicester Tigers and England and I’ve always been impressed.”

The Saxons will be using a variety of facilities on campus, including the grass pitches, swimming pool, PowerBase gym and Burleigh Court conference centre. Members of the University’s rugby squad are also providing opposition for the England side as they countdown to Friday’s fixture.

Loughborough graduate Ollie Smith has recovered from injury to join the 27-man training squad for the Ireland A game and will find out whether he has made the final cut for Friday’s match when the team is announced on Wednesday.