England departed from tradition in choosing their method of transport to yesterday's World Cup quarter-final against South Africa in Stade de France. Instead of flying via Heathrow, the England squad boarded the Eurostar train at Waterloo. Not content with simply travelling first class the English hired their own private carriage at a cost of £6,090.

They'll need the peace and quiet on the return journey as they nurse bruised egos and tired limbs after losing to the Springboks.