Stuart Lancaster hopes England avoid scandals

Stuart Lancaster’s rookie ­tourists have been given a “this is England” presentation on the cultural responsibilities and rugby challenges that await them in Argentina.

Over a third of Lancaster’s ­31-man squad are on their first senior England tour and the head coach wanted to drum home the behavioural standards that go with the honour.

Discipline has been a central plank of Lancaster’s regime and he is keen to avoid the scandals which rocked ­England on the 2008 New Zealand tour and at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

It was also an opportunity to hammer home how important it is to wear the red rose in the minds of those ­England players who had missed out on British and Irish Lions ­selection.

“They are representing their country and we talked about what it looks like to be a good England player on and off the field,” Lancaster said. “I want the players to take an opportunity to understand a bit more about the history and the culture of Argentina as a rugby nation. It is important we are good ambassadors for the country.” Previously, Lancaster has asked the likes of Gary Neville, Jamie Peacock and Bradley Wiggins to help him ­inspire his squads.

Lancaster kept this in-house to try to forge a spirit among the squad ready for a tour match in Montevideo on Sunday and two Tests against Argentina. England have not won a Test ­series in Argentina since 1981.