Worcester Warriors will launch preparations for the new 2012/13 Aviva Premiership season on Monday when a number of players return to kick-off the gruelling pre-season programme.
The vast majority of the playing squad will be back at Sixways – just under three months before competitive league rugby starts – as the countdown to the new campaign begins.
A number of new recruits such as Josh Matavesi, Paul Hodgson, Nikki Walker, Rob O’Donnell, Semisi Taulava, John Andress and Jon Clarke are all set to check in for the first time.
Fellow newcomers Dean Schofield, involved in the French Top 14 Final with Toulon this weekend, and David Lemi, currently away playing for Samoa in the Pacific Nations Cup, will join later.
Stuart Pickering, Head of Strength & Conditioning at Sixways, said: “The majority will be in from Monday with us and they will be straight into our schedule that has been planned for pre-season.
“The first week is centred around screening and testing of all the players while Club Nutritionist Dr Adam Carey will hold consultations. We will also be goal setting with the players and giving them targets for pre-season to ensure come the start of the season they are in peak condition.
“They know what is expected of them when they return on day one. We have a good group here who are enthusiastic and will be keen to all put a marker down throughout pre-season.
“The first few days we will ease them in then it is full-on. These first few weeks will involve a lot of strength training before we get into conditioning games and hill work.
“We also have Tony Hadley, our Sprint Coach, coming in to work with the Warriors which is hugely beneficial. I’m sure they are all looking forward to coming back in and starting the hard work!”
“They know what is expected of them when they return on day one. We have a good group here who are enthusiastic and will be keen to all put a marker down throughout pre-season…"