As week eight of RWC preparation begins for the squad we check in on their progress…
Let’s start with what’s happened to date:
Each member of the training squad received four weeks off post-2018/19 season then reported for duty at the National Centre of Excellence (NCE) at the Vale Resort. The majority of the squad were in from the middle of June, so they are now beginning week eight of preparation.
After the first couple of weeks at the NCE the squad headed to the Swiss Alps and their training camp in Fiesch for an intensive fortnight of training. The squad trained in Fiesch ahead of the 2015 RWC and, as per that camp, the squad ‘lived high’ and ‘trained low’ and were certainly put through their paces.
You can see Warren Gatland’s wrap-up on the Switzerland camp here.
What’s to come:
There is still plenty of work to do!
This week kicks off the first ‘Test week’ as the squad ready themselves for their first warm-up clash against England at Twickenham on Sunday (August 11, KO 14.00, live on Sky Sports).
The squad then have a six day turnaround before welcoming England to Cardiff on Saturday August 17 (KO 14.15, live on Channel 4 & Sky Sports).
The six-day turnaround has added importance for Warren Gatland’s men as it resembles their RWC schedule. They will face Georgia and then Australia in the tournament on a six-day turnaround so this game and the preparation in between allow the squad and management to mirror the RWC and fine tune how they will manage the week.
The morning after their second clash with England the squad will head to the heat of Turkey for warm-weather training in the purpose-built Gloria Sports Arena before flying home for their final two preparation matches.
Wales will face Ireland in Cardiff on August 31st (Limited tickets for Wales’ clash against Ireland are available and can be found here) and the following day they will announce their 31-man RWC squad on Sunday September 1st.
The RWC squad will then face the return fixture in Dublin against Ireland on September 7th.
Wednesday September 11th will see the squad depart for Japan and the Rugby World Cup. Their preparations continue in the host country as they touch down early, ahead of their official welcome date, and undertake a further training camp in the city of Kitakyushu.
Wales’ 2019 summer fixtures:
England v Wales (Twickenham) Sunday August 11.
Wales v England (Principality Stadium) Saturday August 17.
Wales v Ireland (Principality Stadium) Saturday August 31.
Ireland v Wales (Aviva Stadium) Saturday September 7
Limited tickets for Wales’ clash against Ireland are available and can be found here.
