Mefin Davies says he's "ready to go" after recovering fully from the injury that saw him sit out the final weeks of last season.
The 39-times capped hooker, who is returning to the Ospreys after signing a two-year contract with the region, suffered a snapped tendon in his bicep while playing for Leicester Tigers in their penultimate fixture of the regular Guinness Premiership season back in April, an injury which forced him out of the play-offs as his old side secured a second successive league title.
However, having followed a rehab programme set for him by the Ospreys medical and conditioning teams, he has been declared fully fit and will join the rest of the squad at the first day of pre-season training next Monday.
Davies said: "They've put me through my paces here, that's the reality of the situation, and there's no concern or anything, I'm ready to go. I thought I'd have a bit of an opportunity to miss a little bit at the start of pre-season for the first time in my career but no chance!
"It's been a bit of a shock really, having to take some time out. I've had a good innings in rugby, I've not suffered much with injury fortunately and never really had anything that lasted more than two weeks. The reality of a rugby player though is that there's always a risk of an injury so I can't complain too much about the run I've had. To be honest, this one has been pretty minor compared to how long some people can be off with a similar injury so I'm fortunate with it. Touch wood, this is as bad as it gets."
For Davies, his switch from the East Midlands to Ospreylia is very much a return home, having previously turned out for the region six times back in 2004, before moving to Gloucester. Despite his disappointment at the time at having to move across the bridge, he insists that he doesn't return with a point to prove.
"The thing is, I like to see a job through," he commented. "Even looking at my time with Leicester, it was difficult for the first couple of years, but if you dig deep you can get through it. I had my opportunity last season, and as it turned out it was a good one for me personally. It was a different era when I was here last, faces have changed and the circumstances aren't the same. My history with the region goes back much further than that anyway, I was with Neath for four years before going to Pontypridd. Basically, if I could pick any region that I could play for, the Ospreys would be the one and I'm fortunate that I've got the opportunity to do so again. The future is what's important now."
Davies will find himself in what promises to be a titanic battle for the number two shirt with fellow Welsh internationals Huw Bennett and Richard Hibbard, and he says that the key will be to ensure he hits the ground running next week:
"Definitely, it's the big thing when you are starting with a new team, to make a good impression straight from the start. You need to get the respect of your fellow players, and pre-season is the time to do that. It's hard for everybody, no matter who you are, it can really take it out of you but it's an important time for preparing yourself for the season and I just want to be part of the team.
"I know it's going to be very hard because there's a great squad here with real strength in the front row. It's going to be a tough challenge, but I think I've shown through my career that I thrive upon big challenges. I'm coming into a new environment, I'm the new boy here and I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Having spent the last five years plying his trade in England, Davies says that the most satisfying aspect of this move is to be able to bring his family 'home'.
"We've had a great journey as a family and I don't realise sometimes how long we've been away" he said.
"We've loved every minute of it, but it's nice to come back and put the kids in a Welsh school which is something that I've always wanted. It's just about finding our feet again, we've been back a month and I'm still a bit of a stranger to be honest as so much has changed.
"The important thing for me now is that It's very rewarding to know that other people have got faith in me to come down and do a job here. The initial part for me is to bide my time, keep my head low, train hard and do what I've got to do."