The Basque Country Rugby Tour
During the summer, Tonbridge senior students took part in the annual Basque Country Rugby Tour, an important part of their pre-season preparation. The tour also provided an opportunity to say a final farewell to Matt Cowley, our much-loved Strength and Conditioning Coach.
The first training session took place on the beach, combining fitness work with rugby-specific conditioning. The Josh, the 1st XV Captain said, “We learnt quickly that sand is far less forgiving than a pitch, and it set the tone for what became a demanding but brilliant few days.”
Between training days, the students travelled across the border into San Sebastian, a renowned food capital of the world, for some free time and a pintxos lunch. The boys then participated in a training session in Bayonne at Stade Christian Bélascain, surrounded by the impressive remains of the city’s historic 17th-century walls. They also experienced one of the highlights of the tour: a local derby at Stade Jean Dauger, where Bayonne faced Biarritz.
Josh said, “The atmosphere was unlike anything we had experienced at a rugby match before, thanks to the La Peña Baiona anthem. Seeing how much the game means to people in that part of the world is something I don’t think any of us will ever forget.”
After a week of intensive training, the boys faced a well-organised French side in a demanding match. Throughout the game, the players showed excellent defensive resilience, particularly at set piece, managing to defend for long periods without allowing their shape to break down.
Josh contributed, “Playing a team with that level of structure has shown us exactly where we need to improve this season. It was worth far more than an easy win would have been. This fantastic week of training has set us up perfectly for the tough season ahead.” Reflecting on his time, he said, “What I will remember most is not the scoreline, but how the experience brought us closer together than any amount of training at home could have done. Boys who didn’t know each other well before were rooming together, eating together and pushing each other through fitness sessions. We came back as a tighter squad, with a much better idea of what we are capable of.”
