The pre-match diary of an international player

Former Irish international Bob Caseyis well versed in Test-match build-ups. Based on his own experiences and conversations with current players, he reveals the day-to-day training regimen of the Irish squad in the week leading up to a Six Nations encounter

SUNDAY(Six days prior to a Saturday home Test match)

Players journey from the four corners of Ireland, and in the case of Tommy Bowe and Geordan Murphy (when fit) fly in from across the Irish Sea, arriving in Killiney Castle at a variety of times from late afternoon to about 10pm.

Some would go to the bar to grab something to eat, others would stick their heads into the dedicated team room, but usually the first port of call is reception. There is that 10 seconds of anxiety as you wait to discover who you are rooming with, all the while conscious of the receptionist scanning your features for a reaction. They quickly get to know who the most popular “roomies” are when it comes to the squad.

The rooms are brilliant, two big double beds and plenty of space for the outsized forwards. One of my first experiences of sharing in an Irish squad context was on a tour of Australia, when I was housed with the legend Trevor Brennan.

He was great for a young rookie, very helpful with advice and we got on famously. On the first night, he confessed he snored a little bit and advised me to throw a pillow at him and he would roll onto his side. Later that night, I awoke to what I thought was the Belfast train arriving in Connolly station.

I started by calling out “Trev, Trev”, getting gradually louder but to no avail. I then threw the pillow but again there was no movement so I got another and slapped him a couple of times. Suddenly, he sat bolt upright with a wild eyed stare and shouted a few expletives. My life flashed before me, and I have to confess to being petrified. He then just lay back and went back to sleep.

The important thing is to get a good sleep on the Sunday night, because the high-volume training work takes place early in the week. Players look forward to catching up; it’s a change of scenery having come off what are very important European matches, and there is an air of anticipation ahead of a Six Nations Championship.

The team room has fridges full of salads, cold meats, protein shakes and bars, supplements, jam, peanut butter and a variety of energy drinks. Green tea is currently in vogue because of its fat-burning qualities. There’s also a darts board, table-tennis table and other distractions.

Anybody coming into camp with a knock must report to the medical team, who are housed in a room next door. Every medical device and strapping is available for “prehabbing” and “rehabbing” alongside the physio tables. There is a board with a grid marked out for the days of the week and the timeslots for physio and masseur appointments. Everyone wants them just before or just after meals.

Players essentially remain children at heart, so they still get excited when they go to get their stash of new gear from Rala (Paddy O’Reilly, kit-man). Some guys have to be a little bit careful they don’t put on weight in camp, because the food is so good and readily available.

MONDAY

The day starts with a pee into a bottle before handing it over to the nutritionist, who tests the urine to establish whether a player is dehydrated. If that’s the case, then you’ll be told how much water to drink or given a dioralyte supplement. You have to weigh in and also fill out a questionnaire to establish how you slept and feel, mentally and physically. There’s no big jumbo roll at breakfast. All the newspapers are delivered and generally read.

Every night, an itinerary is pushed under the door with the times of team meetings, gym, training, pool sessions and what colours to wear, gear-wise. The players get strapped up about 45 minutes before the first team meeting of the week. All the coaches are there for a general briefing, and then players split to work with the various specialist coaches.

Mervyn Murphy provides a tremendously detailed analysis of the opposition, a review of the last game and a briefing about what’s expected at training. It’s then time to board the bus, with the management following behind in their mini-bus. The training emphasis will be on plays and patterns with scrums, lineouts, defence and back play rather than technical issues. This is where international rugby differs from club. When you play with club, the players are embedded, but players wouldn’t have the technical skills of the Test squad.

It’s back on the bus, lunch, pool session, gym and there are different meetings during the afternoon depending on what position you play. You’d look at footage of training to correct any issues. There’s a great camaraderie in the squad with the interests of the team coming first.

TUESDAY

Morning routine is much the same, then it’s off to training, this time with a slightly different focus. There is a room with 10 Macs in it where players can roll through footage of the opposition, broken down into every facet of the game.

In the afternoon, players fulfil media commitments followed by more meetings. Declan then encourages players to go home if they want, before returning on the Wednesday evening to the Shelbourne Hotel, the base for the remainder of the week. The players enjoy the hustle and bustle of town.

THURSDAY

The morning rugby session is about fine-tuning. In the afternoon, there are optional weights, but most players avail of the chance to go for a stroll and have a coffee or tea. The head of the squad’s social committee will arrange the cinema or a gig at the O2 for those who are interested. Several might head for a quiet meal and a change of scenery.

FRIDAY

On Friday, there is a comprehensively brilliant presentation on the match referee. His last four games will be broken down in terms of statistics: every decision at a breakdown, for penalties and free-kicks. The cadence and timing of his crouch, touch, pause, engage sequence at scrum time is analysed, so too what gap he’ll look for at a lineout and his interpretation of pulling down a maul or contact in the air. The frequency and reason for yellow cards will be examined and how best to communicate with him – down to how he likes to be addressed.

The same will be done for some key individuals for the opposing team. What hand they carry with; what foot they step off; how and when they offload. You’re always looking for those tiny tells.

Then there is the captain’s run, which people might think is just players going for a run. It’s not. You’d do three or four plays from scrums; same number of lineouts; one play from re-starts and one from re-start receptions; and the backs would go through a few moves. These are the plays you would plan on using from the off. The kickers would then stay behind to practise.

On Friday night, players might go for a meal, nip home – though they sleep in the hotel – or meet friends to while away some time. At some point, you’ll end up in Rala’s room to collect match shorts and socks, have a chat and cadge a sweet or two.

SATURDAY

Match day breakfast is key; players hate early kick-offs because it’s not easy trying to force down chicken and pasta at 10am. The pre-match meal is usually consumed about three-and-a-half hours before kick-off.

The team manager earns his coin by timing the arrival to the stadium; too early or, worse, too late can throw the mood. There’s normally a police escort, players staring out the window, listening to the music and feeling the adrenaline rise.

After the match, it’s ice baths, drug tests for those chosen, and then off to the post-match function, where you share a table with some of the opposition. If there’s another match the following week, most players won’t have any alcohol, irrespective of the result. Some players will spend the Sunday at home before returning to Killiney that night to begin the whole process again.