He assumes the players have already reached a requisite base fitness, a standard set in the England team as long as five years ago when squad members were issued with their own rowing machines. What Black is looking to develop are specific levels of fitness for individuals, to meet the demands of their tasks. When Scotland started ragging Wales about in the frenetic second half at Murrayfield last weekend, Henry feared the fitness of some of those under siege was found wanting. There are different demands in different positions and different demands between players. For example, two props wouldn't necessarily train the same way.
Players have different sizes, different shapes, different history.
We have a prop, the Scottish international George Graham, a really dynamic fellow, about 5ft 8in, weighs in just under 18 stone - but he's also very fast, very quick, got good hands, played rugby league. Black identifies a subtle difference between speed and quickness. Well, it's obvious when he explains it. What you need to do is to be quick for the whole game. Traditionally, if you work too much on an endurance base, you will suffer throughout the game.