I cannot handle watching from the sofa when the boys are out in battle in a foreign land. I don't know what to do with myself. I am terrible to be around and the Mrs can't handle me as I am just so restless and moody.
A summer of injury rehab makes you realise just how much you love playing rugby and especially how much pride you get from representing your country. I am raring to go for the new campaign!
My recovery from injury has gone brilliantly and I am focused and ready after a summer of rehabilitation. The conditioning coach has been brilliant and touch wood everything has gone to plan. After missing out on the Summer Tour I was fired up for pre-season, it has been brilliant to be back around the boys again.
Good effort against South Africa
I thought the Welsh lads did a fantastic job in South Africa despite not being able to pick up a win. The problem with these tours are after the Western domestic league have finished, the Southern Hemisphere sides are raring to go and in the middle of their season.
They are pumped up and ready to prove a point, they are at their peak – it feels like they are hitting you harder than ever before.
They are in the form that we were in heading into the Six Nations and the run up to the end of the season. The Western sides are bruised, battered and looking forward to a break.
You are simply not in the best shape you want to be when faced with 15 pumped up South African's snarling and foaming at the mouth. After a long season with Europe, Six Nations and domestic duties your body has taken its fair share of knocks, it needs a rest.
However playing for Wales you always want to give everything when you put on the jersey but this is a time when your body can only give so much. You have to search for that last bit of energy and drive and hope your body is ready to go through another set of car crashes – it is very intense.
Overall though I thought the boys did a tremendous job. Welsh rugby is in great shape at the moment. The future looks good with great depth in the squad, which I think the tour proved.
Pre – season hell
We have been back at the Ospreys for five weeks now getting prepared for the new season and being around the boys and the banter is great, especially as everyone has a few tales to tell from the Summer, particularly Mike Phillips. But I won't divulge.
It is shame Gavin (Gavin Henson) is out for the start of the season but it is great news for the club and fans that he has signed a new deal.
The first few days of training were an absolute struggle. If I am honest it isn't because of my recovery as that went great. The struggle was probably down to the fact that myself and a few of the lads went down to Spain for a week's jaunt on an 18-30's holiday.
I went down with Mike Phillips, Hooky (James Hook) and Daffyd James to Puerto Banus. It is very important to get away and enjoy yourself in the off-season - well that's what we told ourselves.
It was nothing too naughty, just a lot of drinking and sunning ourselves, Hooky and Phillips got all the attention from the ladies. The only attention I got were chants from crazy Welshman – I wouldn't want it any other way though. It was a good laugh but I think a week was enough – as you can imagine.
Evans in the NFL?
It was nothing to compared some of the other lads. Ian Evans and a few of the boys went to Las Vegas and spent their whole time telling everyone they were American Football players – what the boys will do for a free beer. Evans is great character, I am sure I will be able to tell a few tales as the season goes on.
Anyway, it is isn't long to go now before the season starts, I genuinely feel we can win all three trophies this year. We have the players to do it and all we need is to work hard and get a bit of luck along the way. I will be writing on Sport.co.uk all season so please keep reading and keep your comments coming. Until next time...