ENGLAND announced yesterday that they had chosen the posh Auberge du Jeu Paume hotel in Chantilly as their base for next year’s European Championships.

It’s hoped that the swanky retreat will free the delicate squad of the irritations experienced at recent competitions — Rustenberg in South Africa in 2010 being too far away and central Krakow, Poland, in 2012 too close to the action.

Nestled in the leafy, refined Domaine de Chantilly — “steeped in history and cultural heritage” — the five-star hotel should offer no such problems.

Just 25 miles from Paris city centre, it has plenty to keep England’s hard-working players happy.

Naturally there’s a Turkish bath, a state-of-the-art gym, spa, relaxation pool and juice bar.

Should England’s men tire of such trivial pursuits, they might head outside for a spot of golf (with a choice of two courses) or perhaps polo.

A stay in the chateau’s “deluxe suite” will set you back £1,049.30 per night at the “bed and breakfast” rate, but if that’s a bit rich for your tastes then the “classic room” can be had for a paltry £236.64 a night.

And if everything goes pear-shaped on the pitch, the FA can blame the lingering ghosts of Spain’s 1998 World Cup squad.