Senior internationals who have concluded tours to the southern hemisphere and the England Saxons players who have been involved in the Churchill Cup have a later return date, but head coach Richard Cockerill has welcomed some of his other players back to work at Oval Park.
“Other than the internationals, everyone has had a decent break since the end of last season and now we can start all over again,” said Cockerill.
“The first phase of the summer is about conditioning ahead of a long season, combined with some rugby skills work, then the second phase is based on the rugby work and pre-season fixtures running up to the start of the new season in September.
“The players work hard, that is always the culture here, but we have to keep in mind it is a long and tough season.
“Alex Martin is in charge of strength and conditioning work and he knows exactly how much he wants from the players at this stage of the year.”
Among the first players to check in at Oval Park are summer signings Rob Hawkins from Bath, former Leeds Carnegie prop Pete Bucknall and ex-Bristol wing Lee Robinson.
