WORLD OF SPORT: England Rugby impose a self-policed cake ban ahead of the World Cup and the Gold Coast offers to host the Commonwealth Games

England’s players have imposed a self-policed cake ban as they get in shape for the World Cup.

With Steve Borthwick preparing to trim his squad down from 39 to 33 next month, the hopefuls are leaving no stone unturned ahead in their quest for selection.

They travelled to Italy last week to train in 40C heat and flanker Lewis Ludlam revealed that sweet treats have been sacrificed as they prepare for the tournament in France.

‘I haven’t seen cake for weeks,’ joked Ludlam when he spotted the media buffet at the team’s training base in Surrey.

Speaking about the environment fostered by Borthwick, he added: ‘To be honest, the regime has changed in that it is not as much forced upon you but you have got the trust to do everything the right way, so we are in the best position to go and put ourselves in the best spot come this World Cup. 

England players are staying off the cake and sweet treats ahead of the Rugby World Cup

Lewis Ludlam revealed that the players have self-imposed a cake ban ahead of the tournament

‘There is a general feeling amongst the squad we have got to be on the money and making sure we are making decisions so we are better rugby players the next week and the next month. It is a good group of lads so we check each other in check.

‘There might be a birthday cake here and there but I think the lads are pretty understanding of what is ahead of us. In the grand scheme of things, it is a short time in our career when we can be really on it to give ourselves the chance of creating some really special memories.’ 

England’s first warm-up fixture is against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday 5 August, two days before Borthwick names his 33-man squad.

GOLD COAST STEPS IN TO SAVE COMMONWEALTH GAMES 

The Gold Coast has offered to stage the Commonwealth Games in 2026 after Victoria withdrew as hosts this week.

The Australian coastal city held the Games in 2018 and mayor Tom Tate has offered to do so again in three years’ time.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said earlier this week that his city ‘stands ready’ to host the 2026 Games, but the UK Government are reluctant to step in again so soon after Birmingham 2022.

LEWIS HAMILTON TAKES AIM AT RED BULL 

Lewis Hamilton took a swipe at Red Bull over the way in which they replace drivers

Lewis Hamilton took a pop at Red Bull over the ruthless circumstances that led to Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the paddock. The Australian replaces Dutchman Nyck de Vries, who was brutally sacked by Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri last week after 10 races.

Ricciardo, 34, will now compete in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix after seven months out.

‘That is how Red Bull do it,’ said Hamilton. ‘I am not surprised to see Daniel back, but I was surprised to see the decision they took over poor Nyck. He is such a talented young man and a nice guy so there will be opportunities for him in the future.’

Asked if the shoot-on-sight firing was not the way F1 worked, he replied: ‘This is how Red Bull work.’