Four Leicester Tigers players have been working with England in a New Year training camp in Brighton.

Dan Cole, George Ford, Jonny May and Ben Youngs all linked up with the England squad for a two-day camp after the New Year’s Eve trip to Exeter. The camp was due to finish on Tuesday, January 2.

The camp was being used to begin preparations for England’s opening match of the NatWest 6 Nations against Italy in Rome on February 4

An England squad for the Six Nations tournament will be announced on January 18 before the squad departs for a week’s training camp in Portugal.

Head coach Eddie Jones said: “This tournament will be exciting and challenging, as we know we will play against some very strong teams.”