#ShoulderToShoulder: Tour Diary Day 6, Captain’s Run
The day dawns dull and overcast with some slight rainfall. Breakfast is followed by strapping and stretching so they guys are ready to train.
The trip from Corrientes to Resistencia takes about 40 minutes with an Army and Police escort. Today is Captain’s Run – a light enough session and a chance to get familiar with Estadio Centenario.
The coaches take the lads through some drills and then hand over to the team as Paul O’Connell brings them in for a talk.
It is interesting to see how the players can switch on the intensity levels when needed. In any match week, but especially on tour, it is a challenge for the coaches and the players themselves to balance that intensity with the need to relax and enjoy themselves.
The afternoon is for the players. There may be some unit meetings (front row), some will sleep, some will head off for a walk and others will give the analysis files one last look. Mostly it is a time to rest and relax.
For the new caps there will be nerves aplenty, but there are enough experienced leaders in the squad to bring them along.
Tomorrow is another match on the road to the Rugby World Cup, a chance for players to stake their claim and the first match since we were crowned RBS 6 Nations Champions.
The countdown to match day begins.