Powerhouse centre Ben Te’o has as expected been given an extended break by Worcester after starring in a “mentally draining” British and Irish Lions tour.
Warriors’ Director of rugby Gary Gold hailed Te’o’s “outstanding” contribution in helping the Lions share the three-Test series with New Zealand.
“We are going to give him another two weeks off,” Gold said.
“I don’t think fitness is going to be too much of an issue with Ben, but I can only imagine what that tour must have taken out of him. It must have been mentally draining.
“He is away with his family at the moment and he gets back to the UK this week, but then he has got another week off as I think he is going to Europe for a holiday.
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“For us, it is really important that he does get away and has a break because we want him to come back hungry,” Gold continued.
“But he will definitely be back for the start of the season,
“I thought he was outstanding for the Lions,
“Quite a few guys who have worked with him in the past say he is a big-match player and you could definitely see that.
“You saw that for us as well.
“When there were big games and they mattered a lot to the club, like against Bath and against Bristol, he really stepped up to the plate.
“He was very good against Newcastle away from home as well.
“He is a class act and I am very happy for him that he has been recognised at the level he has been playing at.”