Grove – There’s lots of hard work to come

Warriors returned to pre-season training this week and centre Alex Grove insists players can expect to be working extra hard this summer.

After four weeks off, Grove linked-up with his teammates on Monday as Warriors bid to get in the best possible shape ahead of the 2014/15 season.

Grove said: “The first couple of days have involved thorough testing. They get us in, give us a screening and see where we are. It’s like an MOT for your body.

“We’ve been undergoing strength testing in the gym and we’ve done anaerobic rowing and running tests. Training will then be based around those results and there will be a lot more hard work to come.”

With High Performance Director Nick Johnston overseeing the players’ health and fitness, Grove admits players will have to go the extra mile during this pre-season campaign.

But if the Warriors players can meet the demands of the backroom staff, the Scotsman believes it will pay dividends come the start of the new season.

He continued: “The early assessments give the backroom staff an idea of where players are. From now on they’ll really start ramping it up. There will be a few sore bodies this weekend.

“Nick is very clear with the standards he expects from players and members of staff. He sets the bar high and if you meet those expectations you’ll do well.

“If you fall below par then serious questions will be asked because as a team you can’t have people who don’t pull their weight.”

With 17 new faces joining the club this summer, the centre insists he is excited ahead of the new campaign.

He concluded: “There are a lot of new faces at the club and there will be a lot of competition for places this season.

“It’s a competitive environment but there is a lot of camaraderie between players so it is a good place to be. We’re all really positive about the season ahead.”


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