Pitch Action, Heavy Lifting, & Culture: What Every Squad Did on Tour
Every rugby tour serves a distinct purpose. Whether it is an intensive warm-weather conditioning camp on the Mediterranean or a multi-city competitive expedition across the Emerald Isle, Irish Rugby Tours builds bespoke itineraries to match each club’s specific goals.
Here is exactly what each of the five squads got up to in Spain and Ireland during their Autumn 2026 tours.
🇪🇸 The Spain Camps: High-Performance Pre-Season in Salou & Catalonia
For our three senior sides, Spain was all about physical preparation, high-intensity pitch work, and team bonding before launching into their domestic league campaigns.
1. Old Christians RFC (27–30 August 2026)
Pitch Work: Hit the turf for intensive team runs and set-piece sharpening at the world-class Mediterranean Sports Hub.
Matchday Action: Travelled to Barcelona to play a competitive fixture against Rugby Sant Boi at the historic Estadi Baldiri Aleu.
Off the Pitch: Shared traditional post-match hospitality and drinks with their Spanish hosts at Sant Boi, followed by squad recovery and relaxation on the beaches of Salou.
2. Blackrock College RFC (2–6 September 2026)
Pitch Work: Executed daily tactical field sessions and team pattern work on the hybrid pitches at Mediterranean Sports Hub.
Gym & Analysis: Completed heavy strength and power blocks at Valhalla Gym Club Salou, paired with video review sessions in dedicated resort meeting rooms.
Off the Pitch: Started mornings with team runs along the coastline and spent an entire afternoon team-bonding on the rollercoasters at PortAventura Theme Park.
3. Old Wesley RFC (3–6 September 2026)
Pitch Work: Ran high-intensity conditioning and unit drills at Camp Rugbi Tarragona.
Gym Work: Pushed through dedicated strength and conditioning circuits at Valhalla Gym Club Salou.
Off the Pitch: Held alignment meetings for their upcoming AIL league season and spent downtime recovering on the Mediterranean coast.
☘️ The Ireland Expeditions: Matchplay, Masterclasses, & Cultural Discovery
For our touring North American sides, Ireland delivered a full-spectrum rugby experience—combining matches against local clubs, professional coaching clinics, and cultural sightseeing.
4. Saint Albert RFC U18 Girls (23–31 August 2026)
Pitch Work & Clinics: Took part in a high-performance training clinic at Virgin Media Park in Cork, unit training at East United FC in Galway, and an elite skill development session led by Tony Smeeth at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin.
Matchday Action: Played three hard-fought fixtures against Dolphin RFC (Cork), Ballinasloe RFC (Galway), and Athy RFC (Kildare), enjoying post-match clubhouse hosting after every game.
Cultural Sightseeing: Explored Cork City Gaol, kissed the Blarney Stone, took a boat tour to Inis Oírr (Aran Islands) and the Cliffs of Moher, visited EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, and tried their hand at hurling and Gaelic football with Experience Gaelic Games.
5. Stanford University Men & Women (9–18 September 2026)
Pitch Work & Clinics: Held field sessions at Malone RFC (Men) and Cooke RFC (Women) in Belfast, followed by high-level coaching clinics with Tony Smeeth at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin.
Matchday Action: Played feature double-header matches against Banbridge RFC in Northern Ireland and Trinity College Dublin (DUFC) on the historic College Park pitch in Dublin city center.
Cultural Sightseeing: Attended a live pro match (Ulster v Ospreys) at Affidea Stadium, took a political Black Cab Tour of Belfast, walked the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Giant’s Causeway, toured Croke Park Stadium, visited the Guinness Storehouse, and hosted an alumni dinner at Tula Mexican Grill.
📊 Summary of On-Tour Activities
| Squad | Country | Primary Training Location | Key Match / Activity | Major Highlight |
| Old Christians RFC | Spain | Mediterranean Sports Hub | v Rugby Sant Boi | Post-match hosting & Salou beaches |
| Blackrock College RFC | Spain | Mediterranean Sports Hub & Valhalla Gym | Internal S&C / Tactical Camp | PortAventura Theme Park |
| Old Wesley RFC | Spain | Camp Rugbi Tarragona | Pre-season conditioning block | Coastal recovery & tactical meetings |
| Saint Albert RFC | Ireland | Virgin Media Park & Sport Ireland Campus | v Dolphin RFC, Ballinasloe RFC & Athy RFC | Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher & Gaelic Games |
| Stanford University | Ireland | Malone RFC, Cooke RFC & Sport Ireland Campus | v Banbridge RFC & Trinity College Dublin | Giant’s Causeway, live Ulster match & Croke Park |
Plan Your Next Chapter with Irish Rugby Tours
At Irish Rugby Tours, we’re passionate about bringing supporters, schools and clubs closer to the game they love.
Whether you’re planning bespoke Rugby Travel to Ireland to experience the incredible atmosphere of international rugby, organizing specialized club and school trips through our Rugby Tours Hub, or looking to explore iconic rugby destinations around the world, our team creates unforgettable rugby experiences from start to finish.
With major global events like the inaugural Nations Championship capturing the rugby world’s attention, there has never been a better time to broaden your team’s horizons.
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