That has given the 6ft 3in, 19 stone Cole, who played four matches for the second-string Saxons last season but has started only 21 senior club games, an opportunity to cement his status as a Test prop-in-waiting.

BBC: England pick prop Dan Cole & recall centre Riki Flutey

They saluted and lowered the ridiculous cotton string that barred the road to the castle heights, which meandered up the hillside past the thick stone walls and into an immense central courtyard.

NPR: Sergeant Notes Odd Rituals of War in Afghanistan