SOMETIMES it takes a week off training for you to actually realise how tired your body is.

Quite a few of the lads took the opportunity to go away for a few days last week and it was massively relaxing. However, now we are back, everyone is buzzing in training.

We'd not touched a rugby ball for a week, so we were a bit rusty, but the energy and enthusiasm after having a break was really impressive - we've been well managed as a squad.

A mid-season break is the sort of thing that should be worked into every season at this time of year for all clubs. Each year the game becomes more physical but the human body remains the same - it is important that players get adequate rest.

There is a good focus in the squad now after the break, which is important because it can be difficult to come back after a week off and return to the same level of intensity.

The first signs are good, though, because everyone has switched straight back into it. I think that will be the difference between winning and losing on Sunday - the victory will go to the side who have switched back on the best this week.

Saracens are a funny team because you never know what to expect from them. One week they are absolutely brilliant - which is what we are expecting and planning for - but at other times they will admit that can be inconsistent and have off weeks.

They've got some wonderful attacking players - Brent Russell is scoring tries for fun and Glen Jackson reads the game better than any fly-half in the league at the moment, plus Neil De Kock is really good at nine too. Then they have got Chris Jack, who is one of the best locks in the world and an experienced All Black.

But, that said, we're really looking forward to it, especially after picking up our first win of the season against Bristol. It should be a tense affair played at a very high intensity.

Craig Gillies signed a contract extension this week, which was great news for us. He has been there when we've been in trouble over recent seasons and he has always helped get us out of that.

He had an absolutely massive game against Bristol and is a really important player for the team.

I would have expected there to have been interest in him from other clubs - and there was - but Craig is Worcester through-and-through. It would have been difficult for him to leave the club after all we have been through together as a team.

We are lucky with the second rows we've got at Worcester. Greg Rawlinson has made a big impact and Craig is playing really well at the moment, while Will Bowley has been one of the finds of the season. Then we've got Phil Murphy and Tim Collier who are working really hard to get back into the team.

Also, Drew Hickey and Shane Drahm will be leaving the club at the end of this season and it will be sad to see them go, both as players and as friends.

I am very close to Drew, in terms of as a friend and as in where we play in the team, and he will be a great loss.

It will also be sad to see Shane go, but both guys are moving half way home and they'll be nearer their families in Australia.