Whilst many have commented on the intensity of the Lions schedule an integrated rugby team from Llanelli have put together an arguably tougher itinerary for their tour of New Zealand and Samoa.

The Llanelli Warriors are an integrated side who actively look to include players with learning disabilities and are touring to the Pacific as part of their 21st Anniversary celebrations. In just 15 days the team will play 3 matches in New Zealand and 1 in Samoa. They will also watch both the Wales tests, the Chiefs match with the Lions and the All Blacks vs Samoa. If that wasn't enough there is a full social schedule around the rugby as well.

The Warriors were formed in 1995 to give men with a learning disability an opportunity to play rugby. The club has come a long way in 20 years and we wanted to put something special. Through this trip these players will join a very exclusive club of players who have played in Samoa where even the likes of England, South Africa and Australia have never played.

Chairman/player Gwilym Lewis explained the importance of the trip;

"Research shows that people with learning difficulties often find it harder to make friends, they tend to have smaller social circles and opportunities for further education and employment can be very limited. Rugby gives the players a chance to participate and contribute to the community. They play alongside and against non disabled players, gaining confidence, respect and new friends. There are three main elements to rugby that make it a great vehicle for social inclusion; the physicality fosters respect, the team work element encourages friendship and the social aspect gives everyone a chance to mingle afterwards as equals. That awkwardness that people can feel disappears over a beer.

The bottom line though is that rugby is a great sport, hard as it is, and as in New Zealand and Samoa its part of the culture. This tour though is about going beyond joining in with friends and family in the sport, this is going to make our players who without the club might be stuck on the sidelines, into the envy of those family and friends. We also want to show that a disability doesn't have to be the barrier that some think. We are taking this to the hardest rugby environments in the world, we couldn't travel any further and we will be playing mainstream sides. We think it's the most ambitious sporting project ever undertaken in learning disability sport."

Richard Evans, a veteran prop of over 150 matches will lead the trip
"I'm very proud to be chosen and I'm really looking forward. I'm sure we can do really well and win our matches, but win or lose we'll have a great time."

Jamie Evans has organised the trip, "to be out there while the Lions are touring is going to be something special in itself, that Wales are playing there and us having our own series, I don't think there are many sides that would look to take this on." A tour party of 32 will be embarking on the tour with about half the players registered as disabled.

The trip has caught the imagination and fund raising has been well supported. Brecon RFC and Llansawel RFC have made significant contributions, Peter Rees, Wales oldest international took part in a Q&A session at Burry Port while Former Lion Tom David spoke at their dinner.

"The fund raising has shown us just how much the community value the Warriors and what we do" said Jamie "The Just Giving page raised £1,500 and we've had support from all our regular opponents like Cefneithin and Gwlad in Cardiff as well. We can't thank people enough but we promise that we will make the very most of this opportunity"

The history of the Lions has former players to a man talking about important a tour like this was to them, for some of the Warriors players this is the sort of trip that could be life changing.

Warriors Tour to New Zealand and Samoa itinerary:
Wed 14/6/17 Travel to London, Flight from London 21:25
Thu 15/6/17: Travel (via Bangkok)
Fri 16/6/17: Arrive Auckland 10:45, attend Tonga v Wales, NZ v Samoa
Sat 17/6/17: Travel to Hamilton, FairField United Yellowbellies v Llanelli Warriors Maori v Lions 19:35 (Rotarua) on tv
Sun 18/6/17 South Auckland Kiwis v Llanelli Warriors (Hamilton Marist RFC)
Mon 19/6/17 Travel to Te Kuiti for unveiling of Sir Colin Meads statue
Tue 20/6/17: Cycle ride and Hot Baths, Attend Chiefs v Lions (19:35)
Wed 21/6/17: Travel to Auckland, depart 16:25, Arrive Apia 21:15
Thu 22/6/17: Vaiala Ulalei Sports Club v Llanelli Warriors
Fri 23/6/17: Attend Samoa v Wales
Sat 24/6/17: Pualele Paddle Club - paddling in bay at Apia (NZ v Lions 21:35)
Sun 25/6/17: Depart Apia 21:55, Arrive Auckland 1:10
Mon 26/6/17: Tour of brewery
Tue 27/6/17: College Rifles RFC v Llanelli Warriors (Hurricanes v Lions on tv)
Wed 28/6/17: Depart Auckland 13:10
Thu 28/6/17:Arrive London

Previous article about the tour: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/llanelliwarriorsrfc/news/most-ambitious-sporting-project-involving-people-w-1773222.html

Importance of rugby and learning disabilities: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/llanelliwarriorsrfc/a/why-rugby-why-the-warriors-49489.html

BBC Scrum V video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/35627549

WRU article and video: http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/club/37144.php#.WTAummeQzcs