World Cup 2015: Wales cancel training camp in Poland

Wales used the facilities in Spala ahead of the 2011 World Cup

Wales' pre-World Cup training camp in Poland has been cancelled.

Warren Gatland's squad was due to visit Spala between 16 and 23 August, but will stay at their Vale of Glamorgan base instead.

A statement said gains made at altitude in Switzerland and expected from a trip to Qatar had led to the change.

"It was felt our time would be better spent using the... facilities on offer at the Vale," said consultant head of physical performance, Paul Stridgeon.

"The altitude chamber, the heat stress option and the cryotherapy chamber will complement our first two camps well and remaining in Wales reduces two travel days which we can use to greater training effect.

"There will be a greater emphasis on the 'rugby' side of training at that point and we benefit more by staying here in Wales."

Coach Gatland took the team to Spala ahead of the 2011 World Cup when the use of cryotherapy chambers - where players were exposed to temperatures of -160 celsius - were credited with being a major factor in Wales' run to the semi-finals.

The Welsh Rugby Union's Centre of Excellence at the Vale now boasts its own cryotherapy chamber.

The 47-man training squad returned to Wales Wednesday after a 15-day camp in Fiesch, Switzerland and will head to Doha, Qatar on Sunday, 19 July for a further 10-day camp.