WET and windy conditions didn’t put off Super League rugby stars when they visited West Cumbria to prepare for the start of the new season.

The first-team squad from Castleford Tigers completed an intensive training camp to work on their strength and conditioning as part of pre-season preparations for the campaign.

They spent two nights in the area, working on a local farm with gruelling activities including carrying hay bales, mucking out the cow sheds and pulling tractors to build a healthy bond in the squad and install a strong work ethic while also building up their fitness.

As well as the first-team players, the club’s coaching and performance staff were in attendance to keep a watchful eye on proceedings and ensure the players were pushing themselves to the limits and making the most of the opportunity.

The trip also included exercises organised by the RAF which have been designed to work on team-building and communication in a bid to make marginal gains which could give the team the edge.

These involved orienteering and a 10km run while being blasted by wind and rain among fells on the outskirts of the Lake District.

The club’s pre-season training schedule started three weeks ago and the squad is also set to embark on a warm weather camp in Spain early next year.

The Tigers are set to get back under way in the Super League on February 1 against Catalans Dragons at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.