Tonbridge SchoolS 1st XV Gains Competitive Edge on Pre-Season Basque Country Rugby Tour
Tonbridge School’s 1st XV rugby team recently returned from a demanding pre-season training tour of the Basque Country, culminating in a victory against St Jean de luz Rugby Club. The tour, led by Director of Rugby Rhys Crane, focused on building team spirit, match readiness, and physical conditioning ahead of the upcoming season.The intensive program combined rigorous training sessions at the unique Stade Belascain in Bayonne – a sunken 5G pitch built into a fortress-like structure – with opportunities for cultural immersion. This blend of athletic readiness and team-building activities aims to provide the squad with a competitive advantage as they enter a new season. The tour’s success underscores Tonbridge School’s commitment to holistic player development, prioritizing both on-field performance and off-field camaraderie.
The team’s training base at Stade Belascain provided the “perfect grounds to train,” according to 1st XV Captain Barnaby Grant (PS5). beyond the pitch, players explored San Sebastián, with some visiting La Mota Castle while others enjoyed local cafés.
Preparations for the match against St Jean de Luz Rugby Club intensified on day four. A carb-heavy buffet preceded the game, where some players, despite Mathew Cowley’s advice, “overindulged.” Tonbridge prevailed in the match, demonstrating “strong defense and fast attacking play” against a physical French side in challenging weather conditions.
Following the victory, the team enjoyed a surf lesson at Chambre D’Amour beach, a welcome respite coinciding with the release of GCSE results. The squad also attended the Bayonne vs Biarritz derby. In a final test of endurance, Rhys Crane surprised the team with a beach fitness session featuring wrestling drills, hill bear crawls, and “Malcolms,” pushing them to thier physical limits.
The tour is being hailed as a “resounding success,” fostering team spirit and creating lasting memories as the team prepares for the challenges of the new season.