Dan Cole urges England to embrace World Cup in Japan
Dan Cole hopes England will be able to immerse themselves in Japanese culture while launching a meaningful challenge for the World Cup.
Eddie Jonesā men open their quest to claim New Zealandās title against Tonga on September 22 but by that point they will already have been in the host nation for a fortnight after opting to stage a training camp in Fukuoka.
Cole is a strong contender to be present as one of the travelling tighthead props when Jones names his final 31-man squad on Monday and if selected to go, he will value more than just rugby.
āThe balance for us is that we are there to win games, but we are also probably going to be there once in our lifetimes so we want to enjoy the experience,ā Cole said.
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āWe want to enjoy the culture, accept that and be part of it. Hopefully weāre not going to be quarantined and we can get out and see whatās going on because thatās part of the reason why we are there.
āIt is not like we are there on a tourist trip. But if you look at Japanās history from the Shogunates, then it is an interesting place.
āYou hear about Tokyo and it being 24/7, flat out, but then you have your Buddhist zen gardens and quiet places.
āI think everybody is probably looking at it and going: āOh Japan, Iād love to go visit Japanā. Youād put it on your bucket list but very few actually get to go there and do it.ā
To aid their adjustment to a country that is an infrequent destination on the rugby circuit, Englandās players have had culture lessons with the Japan Foundation.
āWeāve had one with the ins and outs of travelling on public transport, greetings and all that type of stuff so weāre getting there. (Fly-half) George Ford was good at bowing ā heās very respectful,ā Cole said.
The tighthead pecking order has seen Cole drop below Kyle Sinckler and if Jones opts to take only five props to Japan, then either the Leicester front row or Harry Williams will miss out.
At 32-years-old and a veteran of Englandās dreadful showings at the previous two World Cups, Cole would relish one more shot at the sportās greatest prize.
āI would love to go. Iām not going to get another one, put it that way,ā he said.
āYou want to be successful with England. For the past four years Eddie has come in and the team has built.
āThe goal every week is to win the games and win as many games as possible, but Eddieās goal has also been the World Cup.
āSeeing how this team has evolved since 2015 you want to see it through and be part of that because itās a very good squad.
āItās one of the best squads Iāve been involved in, one of the best teams Iāve been involved in. You want to see that through.
āThe squadās being announced on Monday and no matter what part you play you want to go.
āIf my part is to push the team as hard as I can and get them best prepared for Japan thatās my part. You want to do that because you want to see England win the World Cup.ā