Buoyed by victory on home turf last year and the splendid six nations grand slam result only the week before, our 32 strong contingent boarded their flight at Belfast International confident that the Governor’s Cup would be returning to our trophy cabinet for another year.

Visits to the Millennium Stadium, Blaenavon’s Big Pit Mining Museum, Cymbran Leisure Complex and Newport swimming pool were enjoyed by all but the reason for us being in Wales was rugby and so rugby it was.