Scotland under-20 in Font Romeu: Day 1

Scotland under-20 have travelled to the French Pyrenees for high altitude training camp ahead of their World Rugby Under-20 Championship campaign, following in the footsteps of their senior counterparts who travelled to the same Font Romeu facility prior to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.The camp has received significant funding through Erasmus+, a programme established by the European Commission that allows students and employees to experience cultural and work exchanges throughout Europe, through vocational and educational training.Scotland under-20 players will be giving us an insight into the camp through a blog each day, with scrum-half Hugh Fraser kicking off proceedings: “It was a bright and early start on Friday morning, as we hit the road at 4.30am, but there was a good buzz of around the group in anticipation for the week ahead.”Following the long journey, it was a case of familiarising ourselves with the facility and it’s surroundings, as well as getting in some rest, so we were ready to hit the ground running on Saturday. “To finish up the day, some of the boys took a quick walk around the facilities, took in the views and enjoyed some French food – although, you would struggle here if you weren’t a fan of eggs, ham or baguettes!”Our training pitch is in great condition, and it’s pretty inspiring to see pictures of the athletes who have used this facility previously, including Olympic gold medalist, Mo Farah.”Saturday was very rugby focused, with some fitness to break us in and get used to altitude, which was very tough. Hopefully, the pool recovery following the sessions should take the aches and pains away, and help the bodies recover. “Tomorrow (Sunday) we’re having a weights session and some skills in the morning, followed by orienteering on bikes – no doubt a way of some fitness being sneaked in!”