Tour Diary – The Shortest Day
It’s the shortest day of the year here but the Ireland squad can pack a lot of activity into one day and the backroom staff are always kept busy. It’s Tuesday in Port Elizabeth.
Breakfast and hydration testing start early this morning as the squad look to the third and final Test on Saturday.
Player nutrition, hydration and welfare are key factors. Team doctor Ciaran Cosgrave is always on hand to deal with any medical issues, while nutritionist Ruth Wood Martin oversees the diet and hydration testing every day and it’s not an easy job to feed these lads.
Physios James Allen and Keith Fox are kept busy throughout the day – whether rehabbing players or strapping them for training.
The squad meeting kicks off at 9.30am and then it is off to training at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth.
Warming up. @tadhgfurlong @Ultan_Dillane & @CJStander getting ready for training. #TeamOfUs #shouldertoshoulder pic.twitter.com/3n2bIFPXWl
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 21, 2016
After training, CJ Stander and Jordi Murphy are keen to try their hand as the new Irish Rugby TV team:
There’s a new IRTV crew. #TeamOfUs #shouldertoshoulder pic.twitter.com/fJGgb2rnJy
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 21, 2016
Rhys Ruddock has other ideas about their performance…
@IrishRugby @CJStander @DevinToner4 @jackmc100 @Jordimurphy @jamieheaslip pic.twitter.com/W8UZYoXXxi
— Rhys Ruddock (@RhysRuddock) June 21, 2016
Back at the hotel and after refuelling with lunch, there are media duties for Greg Feek, Iain Henderson, Tiernan O’Halloran and Andrew Trimble.
Media time. @DevinToner4 & @Tiernanoh11 talk to the media. #TeamOfUs #shouldertoshoulder pic.twitter.com/LwS9ksroY4
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 21, 2016
Then it is off to the gym with strength and conditioning coach Jason Cowman in the afternoon.
The evening is free but all the players will spend time doing some analysis and there are deep tissue rub-downs to ease the tired muscles from team masseurs Dave Revins and Willie Bennett.
A short day all the same…