England over training problems of 2011 Rugby World Cup says Dan Cole

Dan Cole says the training problems that beset England's 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign are none existent within the present regime as Stuart Lancaster's side continue their tough regime ahead of the showcase tournament.

The Rugby Players' Association survey of players following the tournament in New Zealand saw many of the squad complain of a poor commitment to training from some individuals, while the planning from the backroom team was described as "terrible".

England have begun their preparations for the World Cup in earnest and later this summer travel to Denver, the United States city that stands at 5,280ft above sea level, meaning the squad will be pushed to their limit.

But Cole, one of eight survivors from the squad that played in 2011, can sense none of the complacency that hamstrung England and eventually led to their disappointing exit at the quarter-final stage.

"It's a step up [from 2011]," Cole said upon the unveiled of England's World Cup kit. "A vast amount of planning has gone into it. The camp is probably a lot younger. There is no one who has won a World Cup in the camp so everyone is excited and understands where we want to go to.

"There is a total buy-in and everyone understands that the carrot of the World Cup is there and there are no places set in stone.

"Everyone is going hell for leather to get the places because there are cuts coming and we have 50 at the minute and we have to get down to 31. Everyone is fighting just to be noticed and that is why the training and the intensity is high because people are keen to."

The Leicester Tigers tighthead was one of just four props selected by coach Martin Johnson four years ago but with seven for Lancaster to choose from, the coach faces some big decisions ahead of the selection deadline of 31 August.

Kieran Brookes, Alex Corbisiero, Joe Marler, Matt Mullan, Mako Vunipola and David Wilson represent the competition to Cole, who admits he is yet to consider how he will fit into England's squad, despite being a near ever-present under Lancaster.

"[Selection] is for the coaches to decide," he said. "As a player all you do is live day-to-day and you get through the days and I'd say at the minute it will be nearer to when the games get played you think more about selection.

"At the minute you think about giving all you can. If you do get to a World Cup you'll be in the best physical place you can possibly be.

"You look at the tightheads and looseheads, we'll probably take five props and within that there is no one uncapped they've all player several games of international rugby.

"To get that figure down is going to be tough but it is in a good position because it gets the most out of you."