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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Gerard Meagher

Wales players put in hoods and doused in water in preparation for World Cup

Warren Gatland speaks at a press conference
Wales coach Warren Gatland defended the extraordinary lengths his team were going through in preparation for the Rugby World Cup. Photograph: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans/Shutterstock

Warren Gatland has revealed his Wales players were put in hoods, doused in water and subjected to the sound of babies crying as part of their psychological preparation for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.

Gatland lifted the lid on the extraordinary lengths Wales were going to when detailing a recent visit to the Green Mile army-style fitness camp in Taff’s Well. He explained how the intention was to take players out of their comfort zones and prepare them to deal with unexpected challenges but the use of such extreme techniques has raised eyebrows.

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