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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Jon Doel

Wales players undergo brutal 'Bronco' testing as Gatland decides on cuts

Wales' rugby players were left on their knees once again as they made final bids to impress Warren Gatland and book a place on the plane for the Rugby World Cup training camp in Switzerland.

The players were given the infamous 'Bronco' test at their Vale Hotel training base and it clearly took it out of all involved.

The Bronco typically consists of players running shuttles of 20, 40 and then 60 metres as fast as they can, five times. It is designed to test the aerobic capabilities of the players.

Video footage from inside the camp sees players out on their feet after completing the challenge set by head of conditioning Huw Bennett.

That wasn't the end of the testing, with new fitness coach Robin Sowden-Taylor later carrying out upper body strength testing to mark the end of the five-week block of mini camps the players have attended.

Sowden-Taylor said: "There's a great energy, the boys are working really hard. It's a great environment and we're really happy with the numbers we're seeing inside and out of the gym."

Dewi Lake during training (Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)

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Players undertook a Bronco test on arrival in camp several weeks ago and many have improved their performance significantly.

Before departing for a four-day break, Bennett and coach Warren Gatland gathered the players around to congratulate them on their efforts but also warn them of what is about to come next.

Bennett told the players: "That block was about building for what is coming. There's one word from me and that is 'consistency'. Just because you've had a good four-and-a-half weeks it doesn't mean we can taper off. You have four days off so when you are away from this environment you need to be consistent in what you are doing. Your eating habits need to be right, your sleeping patterns need to be right. There's more rugby next week but when we get to Switzerland that's what these four weeks have been about."

The fitness tests and words from Bennett come as Gatland considers whether to cut members of the squad before the trip to Switzerland on July 3.

Gatland has previously stated his squad would be cut from the original 54 to around the mid-40s mark before Switzerland. Since then, five players have left the camp for various reasons, leaving 49 as things stand. If Gatland does still decide to shed a few, that will happen this week.

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