Edinburgh’s assistant fitness and conditioning coach David Hughes revealed that the 14 members of the first team squad who have already reported back for pre-season are in the process of putting in the hard yards ahead of the new campaign.
The gruelling summer schedule kicked off two weeks ago and, with head fitness and conditioning coach Neill Potts away on international duty with Scotland ‘A’, Hughes, 23, has been ensuring every player adheres to the fitness programme.
Last season’s fourth place finish was largely attributed to the squad’s impressive fitness levels and Hughes says the conditioning team are aiming to repeat that feat this time around.
Hughes said: “This is the most important time of the year for fitness. If the pre-season programme goes correctly then it gives the players a real boost and it means we can push them all year.
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“If we get them up to a good standard now then they will be able to make gains all season.
“At this rate, when the season starts all the players will be flying. If we get them right at the start of the season, their fitness will last and we will be able to push them further.”
With some players, such as Jim Hamilton, Ross Rennie and Gavin Kerr, returning after undergoing operations while others such as Andrew Easson looking to rebuild their match fitness, Hughes says every individual is handed a carefully devised plan so they can fulfil their potential.
He added: “Every player has an individually tailored programme and everyone has their own targets and goals. Also because we know all the players so well we understand what each individual player needs; different players need different exercises.
A decade after the advent of professional rugby in Scotland, Hughes says the conditioning team are always on the look-out for improvements so that the players can become stronger, fitter and more durable.
He said: “The changes have been massive and everyone is looking for improvements in order to benefit the players. We are always looking at how we can make what we do more efficient and better for the players.”
