Welsh utility back Jamie Roberts backs training camps in Spala, Poland – Rugby news
Welsh international utility back, Jamie Roberts, has voiced his approval for the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) and Welsh national rugby union’s team management’s decision to hold their pre-World Cup training camps in Poland.
Roberts gave the thumbs up for the planned Poland camps in an interview given on Monday, July 4. Earlier, certain segments had criticised the WRU’s move to arrange the training camps in Poland.
As of right now, Wales’ national rugby union provisional squad for 2011 Rugby World Cup will attend two training camps in the city of Spala, Poland.
Wales' national rugby union team head coach Warren Gatland has hinted to use the “state of the art cryotherapy facilities” to physically condition and develop the players.
Roberts have confirmed that the national team’s fitness coaches have also supported the decision of using cryotherapy, in which the human body is exposed to extremely low temperatures and enviroments of up to minus (–) 120 degree Celsius, which ultimately
reduces recovery time from muscle strain and injuries. This in turn allows players to training harder in a short span of time and without the scare of serious injuries.
Roberts said, “It's (Poland) the main place in Europe that people go for cryotherapy, we're going out there as a big squad looking to put the hard work in.”
Roberts further added, “It's a great opportunity for us considering the goldfish bowl we live in Wales.” He further added, moving to a new location will help the players work together, develop their communication levels, and come closer to each other.
Roberts is currently going through a rehabilitation period following surgery to his knee’s patella tendon. Providing the details of the surgery and rehabilitation, he said, “The surgery was able to solve a problem that I've had over the past year so. I have
been working hard to get fit again over the past month. Now I'm raring to go and looking forward to the camps over the next couple of weeks.”
Welsh international Roberts has made 31 international appearances for the Wales national team. He is a versatile player and has demonstrated his skills and abilities by playing at centre, fullback and at the winger position.
When asked about which position he will be playing on the Wales team, he replied that he did not really have a particular position in mind. He added, “I've often been defending at 12 and attacking at 13 with the Blues this season, these days there's a lot
of chopping and changing and it doesn't depend on the number on your back.”
Roberts further added that besides focusing on fitness, players will also get themselves familiar with the International Rugby Board’s rules and regulations announced for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
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