Full-back Byrne, who recently signed for French top 14 club Clermont Auvergne from the Ospreys, has just returned from Wales’ pre-2011 Rugby World Cup training camp in Spala, Poland and he is already looking forward to the next one.
The Olympic training venue offers cryotherapy chambers which are used by the Wales players twice a day to aid recovery and allow them to double the workloads of a normal day’s training.
Byrne, who has amassed 43 caps since making his debut as a 25-year-old six years ago, has always been a prolific trainer and he says he is taking it all in his stride.
“I thought Spala was really good,” said Byrne. “I worked hard, but I enjoy working hard and all that work is going to pay dividends for us in the future.
“I actually don’t mind the cryotherapy chambers either, I know they aren’t for everyone and maybe they are a bit of an acquired taste.
“But when you enjoy training and then you find you are able to train some more I see that as a good thing and I’m actually really looking forward to getting back out there if I can.”
Wales will announce the players to go on the second 10-day camp in Poland tomorrow (Thursday).
On return from Spala, further announcements will follow in relation to the RWC warm-up fixtures against England at Twickenham on 6th August, the return fixture at the Millennium Stadium on 13th August and Argentina’s visit to the Welsh capital on 20th August.
The announcements and the eventual 30-man RWC squad, to be announced on 22nd August, may include any player named in the original extended squad list and is not limited to those on this particular training camp in Poland.
After targeting his second visit to Spala, Byrne is also relishing the prospect of back-to-back clashes with England next month, having already faced the old enemy on six occasions with two wins, both home and away, under his belt.
“Poland aside everyone wants to be involved in those warm-up games,” added Byrne. “England and Argentina will be perfect preparation for us. I know what it is like to beat England and am also proud to be able to say I’ve won at Twickenham.
“In 2008 the win there kick-started our Grand Slam season and I scored that day as well which made it extra special, but I’d like to beat them a few more times yet.
“We’ve got some really healthy competition at full-back in the squad at the moment so my first priority is to keep my place and if I can do that then it will be important to come out of those summer games with some wins and go into that world cup with some confidence.”
Tickets to the Wales vs England Rugby World Cup warm-up match at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 13 August (kick off 2.30pm) are priced £30 and tickets to the Wales vs Argentina on Saturday 20 August (kick of 2.30pm) are priced at £25 and are on a ‘buy one get one free’ promotion.
Fans can also purchase their tickets for the Millennium Stadium clashes offer online at www.wru.co.uk/tickets or by calling the ticket hotlines 08442 777 888 or 02920 230130 or at local Tesco stores from Thursday.
