Dragons have geared up for the return to Guinness PRO14 action with an intense two-day training camp with the Welsh Guards at the region’s Ystrad Mynach base.
Members of the Regimental Support Team (South) for the Welsh Guards – Wales’s Senior Infantry Regiment - put the players through a series of military exercises, designed to challenge them both mentally and physically.
The players took part in an ‘Army Strongman’ competition on Monday before swapping their rugby kit for combats as they immersed themselves in intense training sessions and series of in-depth talks for a military skills day on Tuesday.
Head Coach Ceri Jones was delighted with what was achieved in the camp, which gave the players a condensed look at army life and discipline.
“To have the Welsh Guards up here, a very proud regiment, is a real privilege for us and all the boys,” said Jones.
“I’ve sat in some of the talks where the players have heard about experiences in Afghanistan, the times the regiment have been under fire and how they deal with those difficult circumstances.
“It has been a real eye-opener to the players. Rugby can be a bubble, you are in a squad environment and you can’t always see outside of that.
“The players have been taken through some of the military exercises that the regiment do and had different types of stimulus to start this training week.
“With a two-week prep (before the Edinburgh game) it is important for the boys to not get into the habit of just getting into a normal training week.
“It’s good to do something different and speaking to the Welsh Guards and doing these military style sessions has been fantastic.”
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To have the Welsh Guards up here, a very proud regiment, is a real privilege for us and all the boys...
