Its that time of the year again… pre season! After a month of cruising around a very hot Mediterranean coast (a massive benefit which comes with playing pro rugby in Europe) it's back to the office. Or should I say training paddock.
I'm currently playing in the Spanish Top 10 at La Vila rugby club, and have been here for the last 2 years. Pre-season, August and Costa Blanca Coast all has one thing in common …. Heat. The temperature is HOT, getting up to 38 degrees, which makes training all that more interesting.
With preseason comes many changes, including new players, a new team environment and different team structures. The first few weeks are about getting to know each other, throwing around a bit of banter, but most definitely training like we have never trained before. With only 5 weeks to get prepared for our first league match its work, work, work.
We are 4 weeks in and finally my legs have started to stop aching and my muscles seem to understand the reality of hard work as opposed to sitting on the beaches of Sicily. Today is game day! We have a preseason friendly tonight against Alcobendes Madrid (they where promoted to the Spanish top 10 last season) and the excitement/anticipation is building. We have worked really hard on fitness this preseason, bringing in some new training ideas. The vibe between the boys is great and I think everyone is glad to see the end of heavy fitness and to start playing some rugby! It being a friendly there is space to try out our new moves and different combinations. Tonight we will find out where are strengths and weaknesses lie.
- Ryan le Roux
