THE Magical Mystery Tour is waiting to take Gloucester away – to the Premiership play-offs, if Nigel Davies' plans come together.
The Gloucester boss has whisked his squad off on a mystery trip today, that has been planned for some time.
Rugby director Davies and his coaching team have stayed purposely tight-lipped on both today's destination – and what lies in store on arrival.
Davies admitted the suspense has been killing many of the Kingsholm squad.
The former Wales centre is adamant a change of scene can breathe new inspiration right through his squad, to boost them for the last two games of the season.
Gloucester must beat both Saracens at Kingsholm on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) and Exeter at Sandy Park on May 4 in order to keep their play-off hopes alive – then rely on results elsewhere to make the top four.
Davies believes the shroud of secrecy around today's trip will add an extra mental challenge to the activities.
The Cherry and Whites have been told when and where to meet, but no more.
Davies explained: "People will make a big thing of this because it's slightly different, but it's part of the training, the mental and the physical side of it.
"And also we've got to challenge the players mentally as well.
"They don't have a clue where they're going, and it's amazing that outside of their comfort zone, some of these players are panicking because they don't know what's happening.
"And it's quite funny to see.
"We've just got to challenge them differently, mentally, and we've spoken a lot this year about adapting to different scenarios and situations.
"We'll spend from probably 7am until 9pm together as a group.
"And that's important as well.
"Because apart from the normal working week we haven't had too many social activities this year, because it's been a lot of hard work.
"It will be hard work again today, but it's something different and new.
"It's not a reward for anything, it's purely because I think it's the right thing to do and I think it's the best prep.
"If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but that's what I firmly believe.
"It will be a complete surprise to everybody I think.
"It's been a long old season, we've trained hard this week already.
"We intend to do some rugby today as well.
"We just want to get everybody out of here, just get the group to do something away from the training ground, which they haven't really done for the majority of the time since pre-season.
"And we want to spend some time together, so we get a better feel and understanding away from the rugby environment.
"They day will encompass training as well, but we'll be doing one or two things slightly differently.
"They know when and where to meet, and what to bring, and they know what time they will be back.
"This was planned for some time, this isn't a reaction to Friday.
"This was planned on the basis that whatever happened on Friday we would still need to freshen things up going into this game."
Saracens are the Premiership's kings of bold training steps.
Bonding trips to Munich's Oktoberfest and warm-weather training stints in Miami were fairly adventurous.
But in the middle of this season the Men In Black went skiing, a sport usually avoided by rugby stars due to injury risk.
Davies admitted Gloucester will take a leaf out of Saracens' book in future – especially in terms of looking after their players.
He continued: "We've seen Saracens, our opponents this weekend, just come back from skiing in Val d'Isere, and it seemed to suit them pretty well.
"It's not about us copying what they are doing though, it's about understanding where we are as a group, and it's part of our preparation.
"Whatever we do will be part of getting our preparation for Saturday right.
"I think Saracens feel very valued as a squad, and that's important.
"I think we've moved things forward there at Gloucester this year.
"When players feel that they are valued and they belong to something that's a little bit more special, they tend to give a lot more of themselves.
"I think we are moving that way ourselves, we've still got a long way to go and we know that.
"We're trying to create a culture and environment where people want to be here, be part of it, and where they want to win as well.
"And it's all part of the process."
