WARRIORS back row Phil Dowson insists the squad are already ‘close-knit’ and hungry to hit the ground running after returning to pre-season training.
The 34-year-old said his teammates are relishing the chance to build on their tenth-placed finish in last season’s Aviva Premiership.
And despite the new arrivals of England centre Ben Te’o, Kiwi centre Jackson Willison, lock Will Spencer and hooker Matt Williams, Dowson believes the squad have already gelled ahead of their pre-season tour to Jersey and Ireland in August.
“We’re all focused on making even more progress before the season gets under way,” Dowson said. “We want to improve and kick on as last season we were close to winning in a lot of games, so we know we’re capable of climbing the league if we work together.
“A lot of the lads who played last year are still here and we’ve strengthened the squad with a few new players, so we know we have every opportunity to enjoy a successful season,” he added.
Te’o, who has joined Warriors from Irish side Leinster, is yet to arrive at Sixways due to being named in the England squad which toured Australia, but Dowson admits the centre will have benefit from a wealth of experience from his time in the Southern Hemisphere, which he can bring to Sixways.
“We’re looking forward to getting Ben involved in what we’re doing so we can continue to build towards the start of the season,” added Dowson, who racked up seven England appearances in 2012.
“It’s good experience for him to be around the best players in England and he’ll be learning a lot and building relationships within the squad.
“He’ll have a chance to show what he can do every week in the Premiership when he gets to Sixways and I’m sure that first cap will be in his hand very soon.”