Not having a game for the last two weekends has been beneficial in settling down some of the injuries. It is often at this time of the season that players start to become not just physically tired but mentally tired as well.

The recent break from rugby is therefore a great chance to spend some time away from the game and recharge the batteries.

More than two thousand years ago Hippocrates (460BC-337BC) wrote that:

“Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity”.

Some of the players were involved in national squads over the last fortnight and haven’t had that opportunity. It is therefore important that on their return to the club the balance between work and recovery is right.

The group of players who are returning from injury include Nathan Budgett who has started full training this week and we look forward to seeing him back on the field soon.

David Blaney has thrown away his protective boot and is working on getting the range and strength back in his ankle.

He has already started cardio-vascular training in the pool with Penny Porter. Mariano Sambucetti has started running off line and is working hard on his agility with Dave Rowland.

His strength is already near his pre-injury levels and it will not be long before he can start some rugby training with the squad.

Neil Brew is now off his crutches and out of his brace following an injury to his Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL). He has started working on his leg strength and has also started pool work this week.

Here’s hoping that we see a good performance today against my old club.

Rich Mack