Newcastle Falcons head coach Alan Tait has really been putting his back into preparations ahead of his side's Amlin Challenge Cup clash with English rivals Exeter Chiefs this week
With the bad weather wreaking havoc throughout the UK, Tait has been forced to look for alternative training venues to help his players get ready for the vital Pool 3 game at Sandy Park Stadium. And that meant the former Scotland and British & Irish Lions centre picking up a shovel to help clear snow at the all-weather training centre at Druid Park.
"We've been desperate to get outside to train this week. It's been great going indoors but we've only been able to use 5-a-side soccer courts and there's only so much you can do with them," said Tait.
"We put a stint in on Wednesday to clear the snow up at Druid and we only got 30 metres cleared.That just shows how much snow has fallen in the area.
"But we got a good session in on Thursday morning and I'm pleased we got that before we head down to Exeter. At least we got a chance to go outside and work on our set moves.
"We'll have to make sure we go down there and be strong up front. We can't afford to take them lightly and we'll certainly have to get stuck in to them up front.
"I've picked a fairly big pack for Saturday because I know that last time we went down there they came at us really hard. I have to say, I was disappointed with the referee when we played them earlier in the season and I know the boys after seeing the video were not happy with the cheap shots."
The Chiefs ran out 22-17 winners in the Aviva Premiership when the two sides met in September and the south-west based side have since picked up five points in their two Amlin Challenge Cup games to remain in the hunt for a quarter-final place in their first season in European competition.