Ulster Hit The Portstewart Dunes

In the second week of Ulster’s pre-season training stint, the players took to the beach as they were put through their paces by strength and conditioning coach Jonny Davis.

The Ulster players were put through a gruelling morning training session at Portstewart Strand on Friday, which tested both their physical fitness and mental toughness.

Moving out of their normal environment at Newforge Country Club, the players went through rigorous tests including shuttle runs along the beach, relay races up the sand dunes carrying 20-kilogram weights and touch rugby sessions in the sand.

The reason behind the squad’s change of training venue is to have a testing environment, which includes experiences the players bodies are not used to training in.

Throughout the pre-season session, each player’s individual performance is closely monitored to increase personal fitness levels and limit the risk of injuries.

Ulster’s Operations Director David Humphreys, new forwards coach Jeremy Davidson and the Ulster Academy’s Elite Player Development Officer Jonny Bell were on hand to oversee the progress of the players.

With their normal ice baths shelved for the day, the players took a well-deserved dip in the North Atlantic Ocean afterwards.

For a video of Friday’s training session in Portstewart, click here.