English coach Stuart Lancaster is determined to win Rugby World Cup

Stuart Lancaster

The Rugby world cup will be held next year in England. Preparations are on full swing to make the event a grand success. English fans are expecting that host country will be able to lift the trophy this time. Twenty teams will be participating at the Rugby world cup-2015. Teams are divided into four groups – Pool A, Pool B, Pool C and Pool D respectively.

Rugby world cup was launched in the year 1987. Total of seven championship titles are already held. Out of which New Zealand, Australia and South Africa have won the trophy twice. Unfortunately England could win the title only once in the history of Rugby World Cup.

Team New Zealand is the current champion of the world cup. Kiwis are optimistic to repeat their magic of 2011 and emerge as the world champion again. But England has already begun its practice to brighten its prospect of becoming the world Rugby champion one more time in front of home crowd.

A determined coach

This time around, England has got a determined coach - Stuart Lancaster. He is someone, who has got the fire in his belly to bring back the glory of English Rugby team.

In a recent interview he stated that he wants all 26 players well prepared while taking fights head on against other teams at the tournament. For this, all players have started taking each practice session seriously.

Rugby is considered to be one of the toughest games. It can’t be won by physical strength only. One needs to have proper mental strength to be a champion at this game. This includes the ability of players to think instantly and take decisive decision accordingly. Lancaster feels that motivation plays a larger role at this game.

The champions of past Rugby world cups

The team New Zealand is the favorite to win this trophy again. They are a quality side and have some reputed names like Aaron Smith, Daniel Carter, Ben Franks, and Dominic Bird among others. New Zealand’s national rugby team is currently being led by the charismatic Richie McCaw. He is the world’s best open side flanker.

Australia have been the world rugby champion twice. They won the trophy in 1991 and 1998 too. Aussies hold the record for winning a Rugby match by biggest margin. They crushed Namibia to 142-0 in 2003 and it is still a world record.

South Africa are the another contender for the trophy. They have won the trophy twice in 1995 and 2007 too. South Africa made a late entry into the trophy. Springbok (South Africa’s national Rugby team) debuted in the world cup in 1995, only when the apartheid was completely abolished in this African nation. The Proteas' emotional win of 1995 Rugby world cup was graced by the legendary Nelson Mandela.

Finally it is the England side that is more determined now to be a next world champion. They have been the world champion in 2003 and are fully preparing to repeat their historic performance again. England is the only country from northern hemisphere side to lift the World cup trophy.

A united effort

The present England Rugby coach Stuart Lancaster is a confident man. He has been a magnificent player throughout his domestic career while playing for Davies' Leeds. He was the first player to play 100 matches for this club.

He became the head coach for England Rugby in the year 2011. He is encouraging each player to play their heart out at the World cup. Lancaster’s approach to the game is little different. He believes in bringing out the best from each player at every important match.

The English coach is continuing to instill a sense of national pride among all players as the countdown for the Rugby world cup has already begun. He also believes that the cheering of home crowd will certainly encourage the English team to perform their best.

It might be too early to say about the trophy but for hardworking Lancaster, the groundwork is already started. He is trying everything possible to keep the players motivated and physically fit.