12 Apr 2011

England confirm Rugby World Cup training bases

5:23 pm on 12 April 2011

England will base themselves in three cities at this year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand after having to change their plans to stay in Christchurch in the wake of February's earthquake.

Dunedin will host England's first three pool games before Martin Johnson's side returns to Auckland for the rest of their time in the tournament.

England will train in Auckland, Queenstown and Dunedin.

Dunedin's Otago Stadium will host England's three opening group games against Argentina, Georgia and Romania.

During that time England will train there with a five-day break in Queensland between the Argentina and Georgia matches.

Before and after that, assuming they reach the knockout phase of the tournament, Auckland will be England's main training base.