We all thought would be a day of synchronised swimming but Gareththedefencecoach was determined to show everyone it would be a good day for tackle practice in what turned out to be cold, wet and a tad windswept session.

Dustythefitnesspainmaster kicked off the session with some core strength agility and coordination exercises to the booming beats of Los Del Rio’s Macarena from his Boom Box! The players were wondering what kind of tunes were coming out of the box as even some of their parents had no idea!!! (We think Dusty was reliving his youth! )

It was a tough warm-up that featured sprints, upper body work that involved legs arms and shoulders and the dreaded Mackie bear crawl.

Despite the wet, dark and cold weather no one was spared and everyone showed their GRIT throughout it all.

After the squad's recent unofficial NE Minis League game Andywackysocks2 had them straight into activities to highlight how the tackle taxis and ruck inspectors can affect their game.

The players used their physical, rugby and brain skills to get the ball back by competing for the ball at the breakdown, getting low in the tackles, getting back into the game and going forward, even in defence. Gareththedefencecoach also highlighted how hunting in pairs also requires physical, rugby and brain skills.

Both Andywackysocks2 and Gareththedefencecoach were happy to see all players, whether in their usual hunting pairs or not, were not falling back into tackle taxis or ruck inspectors.

Whilst waiting for Gareththedefencecoach to get the deadly Rugby Bronco set up the squad were split smaller numbers and told they needed to do "The Conga Hop" going 1 way on their right legs and then change direction but on their left legs. Where was Dustythefitnesspainmaster's boom box when we needed it as chaos ensued.

For all players there was improvement in the Bronco and some real determination. The overall theme was GRIT as the players had to train in the cold and wet conditions. Not one major complaint but plenty of selflessness from those who finished early as they cheered on those who had not quite finished the gauntlet run.

To finish off there was some 8 v 3 scrums, 8 v 3 "Match of Mayhem" with liberal rules to keep everyone warm.

Ask your rugby brain "what is the one thing I need to stop doing and the one thing I need to start doing to improve my rugby skills?"

Tackletaxisandruckinspector TASTIC Peeps

Dustythefitnesspainmaster
Gareththedefencecoach
Andywackysocks2