LAST WEEK, WE all gathered round over a protein shake or two and watched some of Munster’s pre-season exploits (they’ve added another installment to catch up on too). Today, it’s time to turn the focus north, where Ulster have taken a wider lense to their preparations for the campaign ahead.

While Munster concentrate on the strength and conditioning side of things, Ulster send their cameras to team meetings, kids’ summer camps, boardrooms and, of course, the training field.

In week one, it wasn’t just the Embedded-style production that took some lessons from MMA as the squad were given some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu drills after Chris Henry is given a verbal obstacle course to complete.

Week two, sees the introduction of “Charles” Piutau — though it turns out that’s not his name at all.

This week brought scrum-half Paul Marshall back together with his old team-mate Gary Wilson as Ireland Cricket coach John Bracewell sent his team to brush up on their oval ball skills.

“Traditionally the guys start off a game of touch before an international match as they’re warm-up routine… and I am sick to death of them being very ordinary at it,” says Bracewell in typically gruff Kiwi tone.

Over to you, Leinster and Connacht.

Chiefs 10 Cruden forced to celebrate after brilliant Highlanders try

Horseplay at the beach was an important part of Munster training this week (after the heavy lifting)