Supporters across North Wales will get the chance to welcome the squad to Colwyn Bay, watch them get put through their paces in an open training session at Parc Eirias and meet the players during a signing session.
The squad will head north from Cardiff on Monday 10th August, arriving in Colwyn Bay shortly after lunch. They will be officially welcomed to Conwy in a ceremony by the Clock Tower outside the station from 13.25. Family friendly activities will be going on from 12noon through to 2pm around the squad’s arrival.
A full day training schedule is on the agenda for the squad on Tuesday, with the squad training privately during the morning before opening up their afternoon session from 14.30 to 16.00. Supporters wishing to attend the open session are asked to register their place at (www.wru.co.uk/northwalestour) Training will be concluded with a signing session at the stadium before the squad return to the team hotel.
For supporters who can’t make the open session in the afternoon, selected squad members will return to Parc Eirais in the evening for further signing sessions, kicking off at 18.30 (again to register your place, visit www.wru.co.uk/northwalestour)
The squad will again train privately on Wednesday morning before returning to Cardiff after lunch.
The squad will head to North Wales following a grueling July where they would have spent the month in training camps in Switzerland and Qatar as well as faced Ireland in the opening Dove Men Test on Saturday 8th August.
The visit will be a crucial training period for Gatland’s side but also an opportunity to meet supporters in the North of the country according to Wales Team Manager Alan Phillips.
“We are delighted to be taking a three-day training camp to North Wales,” said Phillips.
“It is an opportunity for us to give something back to our loyal and passionate supporters from the north of the country and it will be great for them to watch a live training session and get the chance to meet the squad.
“After an intense training schedule in July it will be great to follow up our game against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium by visiting North Wales. I would like to thank Conwy Council, Arriva Train Wales and all the team at
Parc Eirias for hosting us next month.”
WRU General Manager for North Wales development region, Rupert Moon added:
“We are very excited and honored to be hosting the Wales squad in North Wales and Parc Eirias. We have state-of-the-art facilities here at the home of RGC 1404 and it will be fantastic to see our national squad train here ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
“The squad will be continuing their intensive training schedule here but it is a great chance for the public to see
them in action, welcome them to the area and meet the players.”
Cllr Graham Rees, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, Marketing and Leisure, said” “What a wonderful
occasion for North Wales rugby fans. We’re delighted that through Conwy’s strong links with the WRU we get the opportunity to welcome the Wales National Squad here to Colwyn Bay and Parc Eirias as part of their preparation for the Rugby World Cup starting this September.”
“To mark the squad’s arrival in the town, we’ve arranged a few free, family friendly activities on Station Road from 12noon to 2pm so come along and help us give them a warm welcome to North Wales. That will be followed by the open training on Tuesday, so there is plenty of opportunity for the public to see the team.”
The squad will travel to and from North Wales on a specially commissioned Arriva Train Wales service and Martyn Brennan, Rugby World Cup Project Manager at Arriva Trains Wales commented: “Arriva Trains Wales is delighted to be working with the WRU on this exciting journey, made possible with the support of the Welsh Government. The train being used for this historic trip routinely provides an important connection for communities throughout Wales from Cardiff, mid and north Wales to Holyhead, as funded by the Welsh Government. Today we are excited to be connecting the Wales Rugby squad to what’s important to them and supporting their successful World Cup journey. Good luck!”
To register for the open training session at Parc Eirias on Tuesday 11 August at 14:30 please visit www.wru.co.uk/northwalestour
