Timetable of a schools' rugby player

The average week of one of the leading rugby-playing schools in Leinster look like this

MONDAY 8.45 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. school, followed by training from 4 to 5 p.m.

TUESDAY 8.45 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. school, followed by training from 4 to 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY 8.45 a.m. to 1 p.m. school, followed by training from 2 to 3 p.m. This usually consists of a weights session followed by an hour of contact training. Sometimes this alternates with matches.

THURSDAY 8.45 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. school, followed by training from 4 to 5 p.m.

FRIDAY 8.45 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. school. No training.

SATURDAY Match day.

SUNDAY Rest day.

* Video analysis of the Saturday match by the coaching staff is incorporated into the training schedules the following week.

The end-of-day training varies between skills sessions and team drills. There is also some training at lunchtime, occasionally weights-based but usually revolving around skills work as there isn't sufficient time for squads to get kitted out and then changed and showered afterwards.