A PRE-SEASON training camp to the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France will not be on Worcester Warriors’ agenda this summer.

Warriors have held high altitude training camps in Tignes for the past couple of years under high performance director Nick Johnston.

But Johnston left Warriors earlier this month and head coach Carl Hogg confirmed the club will be doing things differently.

Last year, Warriors spent two weeks in Tignes before playing a warm-up match in Issoire against European giants Clermont Auvergne which they lost 35-14.

Warriors’ new head of strength and conditioning Paddy Anson has promised to put the players through their paces.

And Warriors director of rugby Gary Gold has publicly stated he didn't think the squad were fit enough when he arrived in January.

“Speaking to Paddy, it’s going to be fairly tasty and tough,” said Warriors lock Will Spencer.

“He’s a really switched on bloke and renowned for getting teams in the best shape.

“There will be a lot of thought behind it and hopefully we can have a good start and kick on.”

Spencer was among players who were injured in Tignes last summer and missed the first three months of the campaign with a back problem.

But he’s determined to finish the campaign with a flourish after cementing his place in the starting line-up since Gold's arrival.

“The start was frustrating, missing the first few months at a new club but luckily since I got into the team I’ve really enjoyed my rugby,” said Spencer.

“We’ve played some really good rugby and, as a team, we are only getting better and will continue to get better.

“I am really happy with how I’ve played but I feel there’s a lot more to come and hopefully in the coming weeks I can do some more.

“I have had a run of games and my fitness feels good but there’s a lot I want to improve on.

“I have been line-out calling and making sure I am running the line-out and I still think I have a lot more to bring defensively.

“There’s a lot more to come but I have to still keep working hard and developing.”

Warriors ripped up their grass playing surface last summer and laid a state-of-the-art artificial pitch at Sixways.

Despite his initial concerns, Spencer has enjoyed playing and training on it.

“I was a bit worried about how I would feel on it being a heavier guy and having heard stories about how it’s not too good on the joints,” said Spencer.

“But I’ve really enjoyed it. It enables us to play a quick game.

“We have been doing a lot of our training on it which helps and for the last two or three months we have done all our sessions on it.

"We are used to it and reaping the rewards."