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Johnno takes England up a star or two

Friday 22nd August 2008

Johnson: Re-kindling fond memories?

England have announced a return to their pre-2003 World Cup training base at the five-star Pennyhill Park hotel in Surrey.

After spells in recent seasons at Loughborough University, Bisham Abbey and latterly the University of Bath, England's senior squad are heading back to the Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa in Bagshot, Surrey.

The five-star venue, complete with a resurfaced rugby pitch, was England's home under Sir Clive Woodward as he and World Cup captain Johnson plotted global domination five years ago.

England will use the facility until 2012, starting as they prepare for November's fixtures against the Pacific Islanders, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
Johnson said: "Pennyhill ticks all the right boxes.

"It has a resurfaced pitch, good size bedrooms and meeting rooms, great training and recovery facilities - including a swimming pool - and it can accommodate the number of players we will have.

"It is also in the right location - near Twickenham for home games, and Heathrow and other local airports so we can fly out for away matches easily enough."