JIM Jenner believes Worc-ester Rugby Club's exhaustive post-season training routine has made him 'fitter than ever' as he begins to focus on the next promotion push.

The 30-year-old said that he had been taken aback somewhat by the sheer intensity of the regime under fitness guru Peter Finch but was relishing his workload.

Worcester's players were called into a month's "post-season" training after the final match at Moseley to prepare for pre-season proper which begins on July 1.

They will get five weeks holiday in between and for Jenner, the programme is a real winner already.

"It's been hard work and I think some were a bit surprised about the intensity," he said. "However, I think it shows just how focused we all are on next season because we are very determined to win promotion.

"I must admit, I'd never heard of anything like it before at a rugby club.

"I think Peter has seen this programme used successfully in American Football and, although no rugby clubs I know of do it here, I think it might catch on.

"I know I'm fitter than ever and I've actually lost a stone in weight after coming back from Newcastle Falcons. I think that is credit to Peter Finch because I never felt this good.

"We've been doing a lot of weights and training because, out of season, we are not preparing for a match or doing skills so we train as hard as we can."

And Jenner is in no doubt that the extra work will pay dividends when Worcester begin their promotion campaign in Septemer.

"I think if you are fitter, you make better decisions on the pitch," he added. "We were all very disappointed at not winning the league and the feeling at Sixways is that we won't let it happen again.

"We cannot afford to lose at home to Coventry next season and we want to go to Rotherham and win.

"We are incredibly focused on next year and the training will help us get off to the best possible start."