Melville to help with England Cup plans

Gloucester boss Nigel Melville is to provide a helping hand with England’s World Cup preparations.

England head coach Clive Woodward has invited Melville to work with scrum-halves Matt Dawson, Kyran Bracken and Andy Gomarsall as the countdown towards this autumn’s World Cup in Australia gathers pace.

Former England scrum-half Melville will oversee six specialist sessions at England’s Surrey training base.

“I’ve agreed to do six sessions with the scrum-halves. It should be an interesting experience,” said Melville.

“I will also work with the back-row, and it will be nice to get an insight into what is happening overall in the squad.

“I have worked with Matt Dawson and Andy Gomarsall before when they were younger – almost on a weekly basis – so it will not be a new experience.

“Clive Woodward contacted me to see if I was available to do some work before the World Cup, and I’m looking forward to doing it,” he added. “The sessions will mainly be based around skills.”

England are currently preparing for their opening World Cup warm-up Test against Wales in Cardiff on August 23, a game that will be followed by back-to-back appointments with France in Marseille and at Twickenham.