What Purgatory is This?

Rugby tours. The quintessential rugby experience. How can you beat bonding with teammates over the sport you love in a new location? You get to experience new cultures and food while meeting new people.

Did I mention all of the shenanigans and drinking? Yeah, that’s a key feature of any rugby tour.

I returned late last night from another successful rugby tour taken with close friends and rugby family. For those that have yet to experience it, there’s nothing quite like it. I cannot recommend a rugby tour enough. Costs be damned.

This tour took us to the Bahamas to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Freeport RFC. It was a magical weekend filled with activities around the anniversary. Great people, food, drink, and laughs with some great social rugby.

Quite literally rugby in paradise. An elite level touring experience that I highly recommend.

The problem I currently face is I’m now in this weird form of Purgatory where the memories of touring are so fresh that I can taste them. The bruises from playing rugby are still on my body, my system still hasn’t fully purged from a week on the piss, ribs still sore from the laughter (or maybe that was the rugby), but yet I am faced with returning to work tomorrow and having to put on the mask of a professional.

Take me back to the island. I’m not ready to go back to being that person. My truest form is in a rugby environment. Exploring a new club and hearing others talk about their experiences over some friendly pints. It’s like wrapping myself in a warm blanket on a cold winter’s night.

Sadly, all good things come to an end. All that is left are the memories of which there are plenty to dine on for the rest of my days. This trip will now join the pantheon of rugby tales that get shared at nearly every gathering. All getting stretched over time into near legendary yarns.

If you were ever interested in going on a rugby tour don’t wait.

Life is short. Go on the trips, do the things, leave no ruck unturned!

There will be a full feature article on the Freeport RFC 60th Anniversary celebration on Bottom of the Ruck in the next week or so. If you want to see pics and videos from the event, check out the Bottom of the Ruck Instagram feed. We will be slowly getting content processed and shared over the next few weeks.