This weekend the Spanish Rugby League Association (AERL) will be running a second preparatory training camp for a group of  U21 players in Carlet (Valencia). Those selected, who will be journeying from across Valencia, Andalucia and Madrid, will meet up on Saturday evening in the town’s municipal sports centre where they will be welcomed by the coaching staff, headed by national U21 coach, Andrew Pilkington.

The players will also be sleeping in a hostel on-site for the duration of the camp to make the most of the limited time available to bring the group together and will take part in a series of on-field training sessions and physical testing, as well as classroom seminars to implement and review tactical systems, while also introducing mental and physical preparation. The training will take place at the “Riu Magre” football ground and will be open to the public.

Pilkington said: “The idea is four-fold: to get a good look at the potential we have, implement the national team systems and familiarize the players with them, give the guys a chance to develop as a group, and create some exposure for them and the sport.  The help and support we have in Carlet is top class and we very much hope to continue and expand this connection.”

This is the second of two camps in preparation for a potential fixture against their Italian counterparts and is thanks to the support of the local council and sports councillor, Ramón Boronat, together with collaboration from the local football club (EMF Carlet) through their president Filiberto Chermes and sports director Miguel Guzman.