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England's triumphant autumn campaign was inspired by an unlikely source — an ancient Japanese ritual.
The national team’s epic victory over world champions South Africa on Saturday capped a productive month which also yielded wins over Tonga and Australia.
Despite being in a state of transition, they were able to establish a potent collective spirit and cohesion, which Eddie Jones put down to some of the preparatory methods which were employed in a training camp in Jersey.
England's victory over world champions South Africa on Saturday capped a productive month
In Jersey, Eddie Jones' squad took part in a team paddle-boarding exercise in choppy seas
And the head coach will seek to repeat the successful formula in the Six Nations next year.
During their time in Jersey in late October, the England squad took part in a team paddle-boarding exercise in choppy seas, which was designed to build bonds — taking its cue from an ancient Shinto purification practice in Japan.
Speaking on Monday about the build-up to the Six Nations, Jones said: ‘We are going to start off with a misogi again. That is going to be part of our culture going forward, where the players have to find a bit of themselves. So we are just busily planning that.’
The exercise for the team takes its cue from an ancient Shinto purification practice in Japan
Before his England squad undertook the gruelling misogi event in Jersey, Jones had said: ‘Whenever you go on a camp, it enables the team to develop relationships off the field. Particularly with the misogi. We are hopeful those sort of relationships will start to develop.’
The head coach
