They gathered at Wales sponsors Brains' Crawshays Arms headquarters, for a players' breakfast of fruit salad, porridge, omelettes, eggs, fresh ham, brown bread and herbal tea with former Wales captain Scott Quinnell the master of ceremonies.
The 'players' were then ushered on to the official bus of the Wales team for the journey to the Millennium Stadium where SQ gave an enlightening talk of what goes through the minds of players en route to the rugby citadel.
A video, complete with police outriders, flashing blue lights and sirens, of the real players' journey into a wet Cardiff for last March's magnificent Grand Slam finale with France was played on the bus the whole journey.
Each 'player' was given their personalised kit before Wales coach Warren Gatland gave them a pre-match pep talk.
"You are carrying the expectations of a nation on your shoulders, not to mention those of your own family and friends, and the 74,500 or so fans filling the Millennium Stadium terraces," he roared.
Fitness coach Mark Bennett then put the players through a warm-up routine before Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley and Robin McBryde put them through their paces.
