Ulster Rugby vs Bordeaux Begles

at Ulster. The analysis of individual training loads and how this informs subsequent training design is a real strength at Ulster. My role is to strengthen the bridge between acute injury treatment and enabling players to successfully return to training - hopefully offering themselves quicker for selection and with less risk of injury recurrence. When I started Louis Ludik, Tommy Bowe and Chris Henry were recovering from surgery, senior players who had significant injuries, and that was something I was getting stuck into right away with the goal of getting those players back fit for Ulster. These players are crucial to our success, so I was designing their rehab programmes, seeing what they had done before, and looking at what had worked and where I could add value. My style is probably much more fluid than most; I like to spend a lot of time with the athlete during rehab- rather than giving them something to go away and do on their own, I like to be with them and progress/regress as it is needed. I like to push the boundaries and in the long term that stimulates the player, so they aren’t getting bored during their rehab. The skill in my role is in deciding what is the appropriate loading and exercise strategy to enhance the healing to compliment the treatments being delivered. WHAT HAS BEEN A HIGHLIGHT SO FAR? I have to say the thrill and privilege of running out on a match night has been a real highlight for me. Being a part of the team on the pitch and the responsibility you have to help them perform is a huge thrill. WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE SO FAR? Some of the riddles posed by Kyle, our masseur, have kept me awake at night. No, all joking aside, the truth is the last few weeks have been very difficult with the significant number of injuries we have picked up and I put myself under pressure asking why. I am always asking myself the question - is there anything we could have done to prevent this? And now that they have occurred, the pressure is on to get those players back not only as quick as we can but also in a state at which they can perform. A TYPICAL TRAINING DAY FOR YOU… Early in the week it’s about the acute assessment of injuries that have been picked up during the weekend game. Then because I am working with the long-term injured, I will schedule my

day and week around individuals and monitoring their rehab programmes. I will deliver hands on treatment and supervise the rehab of those that are currently out injured, before training we will work with the squad to deliver soft tissue treatment and strapping and also attend any hospital appointments which the guys may have pre or post-surgery, so that we can ask questions and make sure everything is moving in the right direction. A TYPICAL GAME DAY… I will usually book in several players before the game for ongoing rehab for those with long- term injuries. Then about 2-3 hours before the game, we will move from our main physio base to the physio room in the home changing room. Players will start to arrive and every player has their own routine - some will want to see Gareth (Robinson), some Kyle and some me. Charles, for example likes to come in and get his back and hips loosened up about an hour and a half before a game. There is a large amount of strapping that happens, so it’s about getting all of those things done in a timely fashion that is important. Making sure the players have exactly what they need before they take to the pitch. BEST PATIENT AND WORST PATIENT? Paul Marshall. Whilst GG usually looks after his injuries, I do still have to listen to him in the Physio room and that can be interesting!!!

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