June and July were particularly intensive months for the contracted members of the Munster Rugby Academy.  Following their exam period up to the end of May, where the players were still training fully, the players had four weeks in June off and commenced pre-season training in earnest on Monday 4th June.

With full integration into the senior trainings the academy players have been exposed to life as a professional player rubbing shoulders with Munster Rugbys finest and learning much by the experience.

Throughout the preseason period expertise has been utilised from many different areas of the sports science community including;

Dr Declan Aherne   Clinical Psychologist
Dr Alan Ringland  Sports Psychologist
Paudie Roche   Power Lifting technique
Diarmuid OCallaghan Chef
Dr Tom Hill   Nutritionist
Diarmuid Duggan  Nutritionist 
Fergal OConnor  Synergie Consultancy
Nicol Hinkel   Yoga
Terry Healy    Judo instructor
Global IT computers

During two weeks of camp in August the Academy took part in various activities and seminars which included Dave McHugh speaking on refereeing and Ian Sherwin on principles of training theory.  One of the highlights for the players was a day of team building on the Ultimate Challenge- where the group was challenged both physically and mentally by army experts.

All this expertise coupled with Munster Rugbys own professional staff will ensure that the future of Munster Rugby is being groomed for success.