In their pursuit of selection for the World Cup, England’s players have implemented a self-regulated cake ban to help them get into optimal shape.
With Steve Borthwick set to reduce the squad from 39 to 33 next month, the aspiring team members are leaving no aspect of their preparation untouched.
‘I haven’t seen cake for weeks,’ joked Ludlam when spotting the buffet laid out for the media team.
Speaking about the environment fostered by Borthwick, he added: ‘To be honest, the regime has changed in that it is not as much forced upon you but you have got the trust to do everything the right way, so we are in the best position to go and put ourselves in the best spot come this World Cup.
‘There is a general feeling amongst the squad we have got to be on the money and making sure we are making decisions so we are better rugby players the next week and the next month. It is a good group of lads so we check each other in check.
‘There might be a birthday cake here and there but I think the lads are pretty understanding of what is ahead of us. In the grand scheme of things, it is a short time in our career when we can be really on it to give ourselves the chance of creating some really special memories.’
WAG’s heading to the World Cup
Meanwhile, England stars are set to bring the biggest ever army of WAGs to a World Cup as they descend on France ahead of the tournament kick off in September.
Steve Borthwick, the head coach of England, has adopted a similar policy to Gareth Southgate regarding the presence of WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends) during major tournaments, extending the invitation to the Rugby World Cup.
Borthwick, known for his easygoing approach compared to predecessor Eddie Jones, will allow England’s star players to have their families present during the tournament.
In a further show of relaxation, Borthwick and his captain, Owen Farrell, have consented to partners staying overnight after certain matches throughout the competition.
Below, you will find a list of the players’ partners, along with additional information about each of them:
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#1. Beth Dolling (Marcus Smith)
Beth Dolling, whose Instagram handle is @bethdolling, is presently romantically involved with Marcus Smith, the fly-half for Harlequins.
Their relationship began in 2019, but the details of their initial encounter remain undisclosed. Beth is not only a model but also a singer, having participated in various campaigns for renowned brands like PrettyLittleThing, Missy Empire, and Rebellious.
She is affiliated with M Models in Manchester and Body London, showcasing glimpses of her fashion shoots on her Instagram story.
With 34,000 followers on Instagram, Beth keeps her fans engaged with her captivating content.
