A new addition to Ulster’s pre-season training is the use of GPSports technologies. The tracking and analysis technology is used to improve a player’s personal performance and decrease injuries. Each player wears a GPS tracker while they training, which then sends back live feeds to the computer and IRFU analyst. The tracker monitors everything from; heart rate, oxygen levels, work rate and performance, to potential injury risks. The technology is used by the best sports clubs in the world including; All Blacks RFC, Lions RFC, AC Milan FC and Chelsea FC.

Click here to view the pre-season training photo gallery

Ulsterrugby.com caught up with a number of the returning players to see how they spent their time off before getting back to business.

“I was injured towards the end of last season so I was eager to get back training, but before pre-season started I took a week’s holiday to Ibiza. When I got back I just had an easy week off around the house, and went to the gym a couple of days. I also got in a few rounds of tennis and have to mention playing Declan Fitzpatrick, and beating him 2 sets to 1. I came back a week early to pre season and tested all the equipment and activities with Paul Hatton and JD, which I thought would give me an edge, but turns out not, due to the first week of pre-season being extremely difficult. However it’s good to have the lads back so you know others are going through the pain barrier with you.” TJ Anderson

“Had a super break, didn't head back home to South Africa at all, but I went to Thailand for two and a half weeks with my girlfriend, then went to Turkey for a few days with an old mate from the Stormers. Both places were fantastic and the weather was vastly different to “sunny” Belfast, but we were pleasantly surprised to come back to some great weather here. Didn’t go on any tours at all, and it's now super to be back in the swing of things with JD and Paul. Bodies are all a bit sore after the first few days of pre-season training but hopefully we get used to it.” Robbie Diack

“For my summer break I went away to Spain for a couple of weeks with my girlfriend Caitriona, which basically consisted of me getting destroyed in tennis by her every morning, followed by me sulking about the pool for the day. After that I went down to Dingle for a week with my folks and younger sister and played plenty of golf.” Cillian Willis

“After the season ended, I then went on tour with Ireland. It was great craic, and strange to be on an Ireland tour with so many Ulster players, but it was all very interesting. Vancouver was definitely the highlight and somewhere I'd love to go back to. After the tour I spent two nights in Las Vegas, with 8 or 10 of the other guys, including Cavey. It was very good, but definitely two nights was all my bank manager could stand!”

“I got just two weeks off after the tour, which means I'll train for four weeks before getting the other two weeks of my holidays off for my wedding and honeymoon in July, and then it’s back to training.” Rory Best

“On my holidays I went to Lanzarote for a week with my wife and wee girl, and just spent the time relaxing by the pool. The rest of my time away from rugby was spent taking it easy, and getting in a few rounds of golf. Nothing very exciting, I just tried to relax and chill out for a few weeks before the nightmare of pre-season training began.” Ian Humphreys