Stuart Lancaster rallies England troops as head coach attempts to instil belief in squad ahead of Rugby World Cup opener

Stuart Lancaster called his England squad together on Sunday night for a powerful presentation designed to propel them towards an emotional peak at the start of their home World Cup.

The national coach marked the final countdown for the tournament opener against Fiji at Twickenham on Friday by delivering a stirring address to his players and showing a video to illustrate the magnitude of what awaits them.

After drawn-out preparations over the summer, Lancaster rammed home the message that the main event is close at hand and lives could change forever.

England coach Stuart Lancaster called his squad together on Sunday night for a powerful presentation

Lancaster delivered a talk to his players and showed a video to illustrate the magnitude of what awaits them

On Monday evening, he announced an unchanged starting XV for the beginning of an arduous Pool A campaign. There was a solitary change on the bench, where Rob Webber’s scrummaging prowess and experience meant he was preferred to Jamie George as the back-up hooker.

Then Lancaster revealed how he had set the scene for his players at their Surrey HQ. ‘We had a meeting,’ said the head coach. 

‘Basically all I was doing was articulating my belief and trying to build their belief that they can go on and win the tournament. Not in an arrogant way, in a positive way. Why would we do all the work and then think, “Can we, can’t we?”. We’ve just got to believe we can. It was about building belief.

‘The two events we had last week opened up the players’ eyes a bit about how big this event is. We saw what it meant to the players and their parents when they saw their sons get their caps — that brought it home.

‘We try and keep it business as usual but we also need to ramp it up at some point; not on the day of the game but the day before. I talked about it and we’ll have a meeting before the captain’s run at Twickenham.

‘The day of the game will take care of itself. By the time 8pm comes around, it’ll be at fever pitch. We won’t need any ramping up on the day of the game, we’ll need to calm it down.

Lancaster rammed home the message that the main event is close at hand and lives could change forever

Centre Brad Barritt, pictured during training at Pennyhill Park on Monday, praised Lancaster's meeting

‘In the Millennium Stadium game this season we had the hype before the game, the holding in the tunnel and the light show and it’s all going to be like that on Friday night.

‘We’ll have been sat in the changing room during the opening ceremony and as we’re stood waiting to go on the pitch you can imagine what is going to be like. You have to remain focused on the game because that is what is going to win it for you.’

Lancaster is very accomplished in the art of motivation and England’s players were suitably inspired by Sunday’s gathering.

Rob Webber, who has been named on the bench for England's opener against Fiji, also praised the head coach

‘It was a fantastic meeting, quite moving for every player,’ said centre Brad Barritt. ‘I think each player came out of that feeling a bigger part of something special and feeling really honoured to be a part of this ride. Both the video and the way Stuart spoke was hugely emotive. I have no doubt it will resonate throughout the squad.

‘The video showcased a young player coming through the ranks, dreaming of playing for England and playing in a home World Cup.’

Webber added: ‘Stuart spoke very emotionally and candidly about what it means to him to be involved in this and he asked us to think about the same. It has hit home for us.

The head coach announced an unchanged starting XV for the beginning of an arduous Pool A campaign

‘He was talking about if the tournament goes well, what it’ll be like to reflect on that in later life, the memories we can create here if we do as well as we think we can — trying to draw on that emotional side, really.’

Lancaster is viewing this week as an interesting psychological challenge, in terms of ensuring that his men are at the right emotional pitch at precisely the right time.

He spoke of the preparation process for such a momentous game as ‘an interesting one from a coaching point of view’, especially given England’s status as tournament hosts, with the attendant glare of attention.

Following his announcement, Lancaster revealed how he had set the scene for his players at their Surrey HQ

‘That weight of expectation — you have to turn into a positive,’ he said. ‘It’s down to me as the head coach and the other coaches to not put that weight of expectation on their shoulders.

‘We have to sell the message to the players of what’s to come; just to go and experience the time of their lives and be positive about the rugby they play.’

The England squad are shut away from the public in their exclusive hotel and Lancaster talked about being ‘in a bubble’ at their base. That is now a heavily-fortified bubble.

Lancaster rallied his England troops ahead of their World Cup opener against Fiji at Twickenham on Friday

The host nation have taken up the option of requesting screens to shield their training pitch from prying eyes.

They also have additional security guards on duty, although Lancaster played down the precautions and the threat of spying.

‘Every team does that,’ he said. ‘We’re quite relaxed. I trust the security we have got is more than adequate. No, I don’t spend too much time thinking about it.

‘There is so much footage out there — what else can you learn from a training ground session? I’ve got enough to think about.’

The host nation have taken up the option of requesting screens to shield their training pitch from prying eyes