Having escaped the big freeze in the UK, Leeds Carnegie players will be offered no cold comfort in tomorrow’s Amlin Challenge Cup pool one encounter at Rugby Parma.
Carnegie’s training schedule has been disrupted by the severe cold snap and while the weather isn’t quite as bad in Italy, the elements are far from benign either with the country having also suffered from plummeting temperatures.
Carnegie, who currently tops their pool ahead of Bourgoin on points difference with both amassing three wins from four outings thus far – flew out to northern Italy this morning, with Parma doing everything in their power to ensure tomorrow’s clash goes ahead.
Director of rugby Andy Key said: "We haven’t had a winter like this for many years and it’s not too dissimilar out there. But it is a little better. We did a bit of a check-up in the early part of the week just to see the conditions out there and they have got frost sheets down just to make sure as the temperature has been a bit low.
"At the moment, it’s pointing to the game being on and we’ll keep our fingers crossed we won’t have any problems getting out there.
"We’ve got by with the weather. It’s not been great, but we’re not alone up and down the country at the moment.
"We’ve used facilities allowing us to do certain things. We’ve done some physical work, but have had to keep it short – we’ve not done too bad, although it’s not been perfect!"
Key added: "They beat Bourgoin at home and are a dangerous side on their own patch and play with a lot of passion, which you’d expect from the Italians.
"We’ve watched them very closely and specifically at home and I think they are a physical, strong side.
"They came to try and do things at our place, but we were too good on the day.
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