WARRIORS hooker Niall Annett believes this year’s return to a shorter pre-season will stand his teammates in good stead ahead on the 2016/17 Aviva Premiership campaign.
Players across England’s top-flight had an extended pre-season last year due to the 2015 Rugby World Cup delaying the start of the Premiership campaign.
But with the new season beginning in early September, the 25-year-old admits the squad is more focused and relishing a return to competitive action.
“We’re back here to work hard as a group and the fact the season starts a lot sooner means we’re all motivated to make the most of pre-season,” said the Irishman.
“Last season’s extended pre-season gave us a lot of time to get to know each other and do a lot of work, but it was tough with the season starting so late.
“We don’t have as many new players coming in this year, so we only have a handful who need to get up to speed with how we do things and become part of our culture.”
New signings Will Spencer and Matt Williams have already arrived at Sixways, while Ben Te’o, Jackson Willison and Marco Mama will arrive in the coming weeks.
“The guys who have come in possess real quality and will encourage us to take huge strides forward in what we’re trying to do on and off the pitch,” he added.
“Everyone else is a year further into the journey as a team, so we’re all excited about the season ahead.”