The Tigers vice-captain required emergency surgery to a leg muscle injury in the days after the Aviva Premiership draw against Northampton Saints back at the beginning of October, but the long road back to fitness ended with a second-half appearance as a replacement in the win over Treviso in Italy on Saturday.
“You do all the training and the rehab but, until you get on the field and start to test yourself in a game, you don’t really know how it will go,” said Allen who played an instrumental part in Tigers’ second-half fightback in Treviso in his 30 minutes on the pitch.
“In the breaks in play you’re thinking it feels all right and then confidence comes from repeating a task and still feeling good.
“It has been a long way back but thanks to the medical team for sorting me out.”
After such a long and frustrating spell on the sidelines, Allen was immediately into the action and was a major part in the build-up for the crucial bonus-point score, making the break in midfield which eventually saw Miles Benjamin dot down on the left.
“I just wanted to get my hands on the ball as soon as I could and try to enjoy it because it has been 13 weeks since I’ve played,” said Allen.
“I’ve just been watching games and, with all the injuries we’ve had in the squad, it has been frustrating.
“I just wasn’t quite ready last week and I’m pleased I had that extra week. If it is not right there is no point and you could do more damage. But I haven’t thought about the injury in training this week at all.
“I was very happy with the half an hour back on the pitch and to be able to blow the cobwebs off.
“Now we’ve got a massive game with Ulster next week. You can’t jump ahead of yourself but we’re in a good spot and Heineken Cup rugby comes down to one game like this.
“Ulster are a great team, they have shown that. If we are on our game and they are on their game, it will be a massive battle and we’re looking forward to it.”