Cipriani, Underhill and Watson to undergo additional 'conditioning' work

Danny Cipriani will complete specialised strength and conditioning work instead of joining up with England’s World Cup training squad for next week’s camp in Bristol.

Cipriani, the Gloucester fly-half, is one of three players who will be absent when practice begins in the west country, with Bath duo Sam Underhill and Anthony Watson also undertaking extra fitness work.

Forty players have been called up in total, with Mike Brown, Alex Dombrandt, Marcus Smith, Tom Dunn and Ollie Thorley added despite missing out on the World Cup training squad named earlier this month.

“Our preparation is about making sure the players peak for the World Cup. It’s not about being ready now for it,” head coach Eddie Jones said.

“Some players we feel will benefit now from being away from the camp for a little bit and will do specialised strength and conditioning work.

“We want to keep the squad fresh and alive which is important and we want to make sure there is a little bit of cooperative competition for selection and edge around.”

England’s opening World Cup warm-up match is against Wales on August 11 and they play further Tests against Wales, Ireland and Italy before heading for Japan.

“We are in Bristol this week as a bit of a change of scenery and pace,” Jones said.

“We have got good facilities and will continue to work very hard, particularly on our physical conditioning but also our ability to implement our game plan under those physical conditions.

“The ante goes up again this week. The players who have come in from the Premiership final will increase their contribution, and the other guys are in their fourth week and are starting to get near good physical condition.”

England training squad for Bristol camp –

Forwards: D Cole (Leicester Tigers), L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), T Curry (Sale Sharks), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), T Dunn (Bath Rugby), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), E Genge (Leicester Tigers), J George (Saracens), M Itoje (Saracens), G Kruis (Saracens), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton Saints), L Ludlam (Northampton Saints), J Marler (Harlequins), B Moon (Exeter Chiefs), B Shields (Wasps), K Sinckler (Harlequins), J Singleton (Saracens), B Vunipola (Saracens), M Vunipola (Saracens), H Williams (Exeter Chiefs), M Wilson (Newcastle Falcons/Sale Sharks).

Backs: M Brown (Harlequins), J Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), E Daly (Saracens), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Leicester Tigers), P Francis (Northampton Saints), W Heinz (Gloucester Rugby), J Joseph (Bath Rugby), J May (Leicester Tigers), R McConnochie (Bath Rugby), J Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), M Smith (Harlequins), B Spencer (Saracens), B Te’o (unattached), O Thorley (Gloucester Rugby), M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).