Jason Harries believes the opposed training session at London Scottish gave the Cardiff Blues squad an opportunity to bond and increase cohesion ahead of the new campaign.
Wales’ Capital Region travelled to Richmond for a competitive training session against Graham Steadman’s side, with forwards and backs running through set piece moves before heading into a full run-out under specific scenarios.
Harries admits the squad were delighted for an opportunity for to play full contact rugby following a gruesome conditioning schedule in pre-season.
“Everyone came up for the day, including all the injured boys, to make sure that we’re here as a squad and that we’re representing Cardiff Blues together,” said the former Wales Sevens international.
“It’s good for team bonding and it’s an opportunity to stick together.
“We’ve done eight weeks of pre-season, and you build relationships within the squad within those eight weeks, but it’s days like these where you go away as a squad that you click tight as a group and get to know each other more.
“There’s a lot of conditioning and fitness going on during pre-season, but all the boys want to do is play a bit of rugby.
“We’ve put in the hard graft in over the last few weeks, and it’s good to release some frustration and anger on the opposition in sessions like these.
“We came to London Scottish to bring everything we’ve worked on together against an opposition side and despite the weather, it was a good hit out.
“We have a week off now and when we come back we’ll really hit the ground running in terms of preparations for games, with some pre-season hit outs before the end of September.
“The boys will be fresh and ready to come back at it.”
The Cardiff Blues wing spent two seasons at the Richmond Athletic Ground before making a move to the Scottish capital with Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh.
Harries was delighted to make a return and see some familiar faces at the club.
He added: “It’s nice to come back and catch up with familiar faces at the club.
“It was a good club for myself during my time here, and I’ve still got a lot of friends who remain here now. It was good to see everyone again.”