THERE are critics of the rugby union structure in this country. However, our break from the Zurich Premiership has been invaluable for a number of key players.

Touch wood, we're going to have a much healthier-looking squad to pick from when we come to choose the 22 to face Gloucester next weekend.

When we beat London Irish on New Year's Day, we were really up against it. Thomas Lombard was playing with a shoulder injury, Dale Rasmussen was struggling with his rib problem and Andre Van Niekerk was hobbling around with a sore hip.

Now, following our break from the Premiership, most of our players are looking good. We've got an ongoing concern about Tim Collier's torn pectoral muscle but Tony Windo has had his minor operation to remove glass from his hand while Chris Hall's concussion symptoms are now gone.

Van Niekerk played a part in our victory over Leonessa on Friday evening. We would have liked to rest him but, because Hall was out and Ben Daly is only just out of plaster, we didn't have much choice!

Ultimately, we only played around 49 minutes in Brescia before the European Shield quarter-final second leg was abandoned because of fog. We had concerns well before kick-off about the weather conditions and we agreed that the game should be brought forward to make sure we got some game time in.

We had just scored our fourth try of the night when the game was called off because the players simply couldn't see their team-mates! It was one of the most bizarre experiences I've ever encountered in rugby!

We were leading that leg 28-12 after winning the first one 32-6 so it was clear that we were the much superior side. It was then a case of going through procedure and getting things rubber stamped through the ERC Board but common sense eventually prevailed. It all means that we face a European semi-final against Leeds Tykes but, as that's in April, we've put the competition to the back of our minds. Certainly, we can now register another couple of players for that round but we will leave that until the last possible moment because of potential injuries.

Even though we've no game on Saturday, the boys are buzzing in training. They just cannot wait for the trip to Kingsholm and I've been delighted with the attitude and the enthusiasm on show.

I noticed in the Press last week that we'd turned down Andrew Mehrtens because of his salary demands. I have to say it was news to me! We certainly haven't talked to anybody about Andrew and what I'm interested in is my own players at Worcester.

I've always been a great believer in the potential for players to improve and the guys at Sixways are no exception. That's the ethos at Worcester and, obviously, if you can improve each player by 10 per cent, then you boost the team significantly.

You only have to look at players such as Matt Powell and Dale Rasmussen to prove that point. They have worked so hard at their games over this season and their progress is clear for all to see. The great thing is, you never stop learning.

Buying the best players in the world is all very well but to identify talent, nurture it and create a top class performer is something else entirely. I've always thought that players want to improve their game, their preparation and their whole understanding of the sport. Here at Worcester, they certainly get the opportunity to do that.

Talk of big stars coming to Sixways is pure speculation as far as I can see. I'm committed to the players we have and I think that together we're building something very special here.