THE famous Commando spirit was passed onto a leading rugby club side in the hope of boosting results on the pitch.

Royal Marines from Plymouth’s 42 Commando spent a day with Plymouth Albion RFC becoming commandos for the day and learning determination and the never-say-die attitude through some tough exercises.

The players hope this will translate into success over their weekend opponents Leinster RFC after a string of disappointing results which has left them bottom of the Championship.

Under the instruction of the renowned tough Mountain Leaders, the Royal Marine’s Arctic warfare experts, Albion players were each given the challenge of dropping by abseil over 100 feet from a railway viaduct on the Plym Valley cycle route near the Royal Marine base Bickleigh Barracks.

The team and their coaching staff were then taught the principles of marksmanship before firing live ammunition from an SA80 assault rifle to test their accuracy on 42 Commando’s range.

A Royal Marines spokesman said: “Albion have endured a run of losses this season and 42 Commando were happy to provide some distraction to events on the pitch and teach the players about their way of life.

“The Royal Marines are distinguished not only by their physical fitness and military skills, but above all their mental toughness which helps them triumph over adversity. This can be translated into life in general and is especially suited to sports where the physical and tactical side is critical.’’

Albion coach James Shanahan said: “42 Commando and the armed forces as a whole are important to the city of Plymouth.

It’s great to be invited here to learn a bit about how the Marines do their business and be exposed to their mentality.’’

He added: “It’s not everyday you get the chance to hold an assault rifle or abseil from a viaduct like this. A lot of the team are not from the Plymouth area so it’s good for them to meet the Marines and learn a bit more about the wider Plymouth community.”

Marines from 42 Commando are currently deployed around the globe in support of UK government operations both on land and at sea.

42 Commando Royal Marines are one of three deployable units which form the global reach of 3 Commando Brigade, they are battle hardened, having served on the frontline in Afghanistan.