My day started around 8.30am – sorting out any last minute hitches. The players’ partners have a bus from the Vale Hotel to take them to the official function at the Millennium Stadium so it’s part of my job to make sure everything is ok with them before I make my way. There were no problems on that score!
My role during the games is to ensure everything is ok in the box for the management – anything from checking that the ref links and video monitors are in order, to making sure there’s water for the coaches, diet Coke for Robin McBryde and ordinary Coke for Rob Howley!
The atmosphere at the Stadium on Saturday was one of the best I can remember – the singing was fantastic and I’m sure it must have blown Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards away in particular, as it was their first home game as Wales coaches. It certainly makes a difference to the team – I think the old adage that the crowd is like an extra player for them is true. Like everyone else in the stands, those 80 minutes are the longest 80 minutes for me! I get very emotional and involved and sometimes wish I didn’t like rugby!
After games the players’ families have a room at the Stadium where they can meet the boys before they go to the official function – it’s great to be with them. They are just as important as the players – these are the people who have stood on the touchline in all weathers when the boys were younger and ferried them around – and these are the people that the players want to see after a game. EVERYONE is proud of the players – but no-one is as proud as the parents and families.
My day ended at about 7.30pm on Saturday – note to self, wear a pair of comfy shoes next time! I’ll never learn!
I met Kirstie, the PA for the Scotland rugby team and management at the Stadium – it’s good to share stories, but she beat me on one: I’ve yet to lend my concealer to a player for a photoshoot!
Back to (relative) normality on Monday, it was a day off for the players and management so I had a free day in work to catch up on all the things that are pushed aside during match weeks. And yes, the emails still keep coming in about the lack of players’ singing in the anthem! And again a quick look down the line showed just one player and also Ryan who laughed this week instead of crying!!! Nerves do strange things to some people!!!
There was a slight panic in the air at the start of the week – the players have suddenly realised its Valentine’s Day – and guess who had to ring around flourists and restaurants! And which player took time and care to select a lovely card for his girlfriend – which, when she opened it – read “To my husband”!!
The Scotland debrief took place on Tuesday, unfortunately Rob Howley had been awake all night with toothache and had to go to the dentist beforehand – ever tried to say “analysis” with a numb mouth after three injections! Take cover everyone and pass the tissues?!
