The Welsh All Blacks have been back in training since June and were put through their paces last Saturday by a Royal Marines PTI instructor at Dare Valley Country Park.
The session included two hours on intense fitness training as well as problem solving and other team building exercises, all part of Neath’s aim of being the fittest side in this year’s Principality Premiership.
Popular fly-half Langdon, 24, is about to start his fourth season with Neath and will look to add to his 200 plus goal tally with the start of the season fast approaching.
“It’s been the toughest pre-season I’ve ever had but it’s been brilliant,” Langdon said.
“It’s the first time we’ve really pushed ourselves and given ourselves a goal to work to for the start of the season.
“We’re starting to get there in terms of fitness. We’ve got a way to go but it’s coming together and we’re really starting to look like a team now.
“Days like Saturday really help the new players to fit in but ever since the new players came to the club, they’ve been a big part of the team.”
Langdon said he wasn’t prepared for the gruelling tasks the club put him and his team mates through last Saturday.
“It wasn’t at all like I expected,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting to be building a raft or running up a mountain and carrying players and heavy bags.
“I thought it would be more of the team building element. It was a rude awakening but I know it was very worthwhile for the whole side and I’m sure we’ll see the fruits of it at the start of the season.
“We’re looking to play a high tempo game this season and fitness is a massive part of that. Hopefully we can pick up some good results right from the start. Our strength and conditioning coach Rob Sowden-Taylor has done a brilliant job and has pushed the boys hard. I can’t wait for the season to start now.”
New Neath coach Neil Edwards is pleased with how his side are progressing.
“It produced what we hoped it would produce,” he said of the team building day.
“The boys started talking a lot more, encouraged each other and were a lot disciplined in what they were doing.
“There was a lot more to the day than fitness. Mentality is a big part of things for any rugby player and we tested them thoroughly with problem solving which helped them work for each other as a team.
“Saturday definitely helped us to grow as a family. They are now becoming one unit and understanding each other’s standards. It was a very successful day and I was pleased we did it.”
