5 things we noticed from England's 'Intense Training' session including Owen Farrell role

With temperatures soaring above 40C, the head coach pushed his team through an arduous 50-minute session at the Payanini sports complex, which serves as the home ground for Verona Rugby Club.

This rigorous training regimen forms part of a heat stress conditioning program meticulously crafted to equip the players both physically and mentally for the demanding moments they may encounter during a Test match.

England’s opening World Cup warm-up game is against Wales in Cardiff on August 5, while head coach Steve Borthwick is due to name his final 33-player squad for the tournament two days later.

Below we look at five interesting observations from England's latest training session.

In England's most recent training session, the captain of the team took up a position alongside George Ford, hinting at a potential comeback in the midfield for him at the World Cup.

After playing a crucial role in Leicester's Premiership-winning team under Borthwick just a year ago, George Ford has emerged as a prominent leader within the England camp. Visual evidence captures him engaging in team talks and orchestrating drills for the backs, showcasing his leadership qualities.

Despite enduring a season marred by injuries while playing for the Northampton Saints, the influential English player, who was bestowed the title of vice captain in anticipation of the World Cup, has regained his peak form. Exhibiting exceptional skill, he forcefully evades Bevan Rodd with a thunderous run, showcasing his versatility and undeniable determination. The spirited display clearly indicates that he is fully motivated and ready to excel.

Despite not making the cut for the official training squad, the exceptional centre from Bath has joined Steve Borthwick's team as he displays unwavering determination in his recovery journey following a recent setback.

Lawrence, recognised as the Premiership player of the season, is presently in the process of recuperating from a knee injury he suffered while playing for England last month. Nevertheless, the fact that he is accompanying the squad in Italy can only be seen as an encouraging sign, pointing towards positive progress in his rehabilitation efforts.

The team at RugbyDump dedicated their time to measuring the speed of England players during training sessions, and they found that Jonny May finished in second place, just behind the quickest player.

It comes as no surprise that May, known for his incredible speed, ranked highly on this list. However, he may have hoped to secure the top spot, given his trademark velocity.

Nevertheless, the fact that May managed to keep pace with teammates who are ten years his junior is a commendable achievement. It's a testament to his enduring athleticism and skill.

Take a look at RugbyDump's ranking below to see how the England players compare in terms of speed.

7. Freddie Steward: 6.94

6. Jack van Poortvliet: 6:81

5. Henry Slade: 6.69

4. Guy Porter: 6.19

3. Joe Marchant: 6.06

2. Jonny May: 5.79