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!!!