Lock Chris Jones admits the heat is certainly on this pre-season as the red-hot race to impress the coaching set-up at Sixways continues.
England has been sweltering in record July temperatures this month with day after day of steamy sunshine to enjoy – but there has been no let-up for the Warriors.
Preparations for the new Aviva Premiership season – that kicks off in September – continue at a roasting pace despite the warm weather.
But former England man Jones insists the squad have enjoyed the sun on their back and the intensity of training under the new regime of Dean Ryan, Carl Hogg and Shane Howarth.
“The heat is actually quite enjoyable,” smiled Jones. “The training has been intense. It’s been very hard, but it’s really benefitting the boys as we’re getting stronger, faster and fitter and we’re actually doing a lot of learning as well.
“At the end of the day we’re physically tired, but we’re mentally tired as well because we’re really being put through our paces.
“A lot more time is spent on our feet, which in this heat really takes out of you. But we’re learning a lot – we’re learning new structures and new shapes and using our minds as well as our bodies.
“Everyone’s getting to know each other,” added Jones. “The coaching staff are trying to find out about us and we’re trying to find out what they’re like. They are a demanding set of coaches, but what they’re asking for is what we’re capable of.
“In the past few seasons we’ve not really achieved what we can achieve. I think they know what we can achieve and they’re demanding the most out of us.
“Leicester Tigers away may seem like a long way away, but it will come around in no time and we’ve got a lot of work to do before then.
“It would be silly to say we’re raring to go at Leicester because we’re not ready. There’s a lot of hard work to put in before then, but we can see in a few weeks’ time we’ll be champing at the bit.”
On a personal level, Jones is also more than aware that he is now fast approaching a key personal milestone at Warriors that he wants to tick off as soon as possible.
“My first job is to get one more game and make my 50th appearance for Worcester,” he said.
“A lot of boys have been here a while and they’ve got 50s and 100s, the likes of Alex Grove and Chris Pennell. The 200 games has been and gone. We’re in a new era at Worcester and that’s what’s everyone’s focusing on at the moment.
“I’m really proud of my achievements to have over 200 Premiership appearances and I do want to add to it and creep up the table and get in the top 10 appearance makers.
“But at the moment it’s just about getting into this side. They’ll be a lot of competition and it will be a case of the best man plays. So I’m focusing on making sure I’m always the best man.”
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"The training has been intense. It’s been very hard, but it’s really benefitting the boys as we’re getting stronger, faster and fitter and we’re actually doing a lot of learning as well…"