2001 Tour of Australia

The summer of 2001. Stereophonics had just released Just Enough Education to Perform, John Prescott had punched an egg-throwing protestor, Gavin Henson had made his international debut against Japan — and Brynteg had just lost the Welsh Schools Cup final to Llandovery College at the Brewery Field, in Keith Crockett's final game coaching the school. The squad was devastated, and focused on redeeming itself.

Preparation meant packing bags in Tesco to raise funds, singing lessons with Miss Edwards, training with the marines down Ogmore and being sick repeatedly down the sand dunes. Then the jerseys and Number 1s were packed and 40 tourists met in the bus park.

Singapore came first, on Thursday 19 July. Both teams played a Singapore Development XV at the National Stadium — the 1st XV game held up for an hour by thunder and lightning — and both won. Australia was harder. Downlands College in Toowoomba brought the squad back to reality with the intensity and physicality of Australian rugby; the hosts kicked a last-minute penalty to avoid their biggest ever losing margin, 36-3.

By the time the bus reached Coffs Harbour the word 'Invincibles' was being said out loud. Two closely fought wins there left both teams one game from a full house.

Then the news from home. Mark Smith, who had been due on tour and pulled out at the last minute, had taken his own life. The senior players came back into the hotel lobby in the early hours to be told the desk had been passing on condolences. There were tears, silence and bewilderment — the most sombre moment of the tour, softened only slightly when Tom Hearne put on Knocking on Heaven's Door. No malice, just his way of coping.

The final team announcement came in an outdoor pavilion at Riverview School in Sydney, Paul Bowen reading the names from 15 to 1. For many it was the last time they would pull on the Brynteg jersey. Both teams won, and the tour finished undefeated. Three days in Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, white-water rafting and a tour court followed.