Hazell has played 199 senior games for Gloucester since his debut

Flanker Andy Hazell admits his 12 years at Gloucester have simply flown by.

The 31-year-old will share a joint testimonial game with Bath hooker Lee Mears between Premiership rivals Gloucester and Bath on Saturday.

"Things that happened which seem like only yesterday were six or seven years ago," Hazell told BBC Gloucestershire.

"It's gone really quickly that's because I've enjoyed all of it and it's not like coming to work for me, it's just a pleasure to come in every day."

In his time at Kingsholm, Hazell has helped Gloucester finish top of the Premiership on three occasions and to win the European Challenge Cup in 2006.

Despite being a consistent performer for Gloucester he has only won seven England caps and was in the training groups before the 2003 and 2007 world cups, but missed out on being in the final squad on each occasion.

Despite being a Shed hero Hazell admits there is a hint of 'what if'?' where the national side is concerned:

As long as you play well for your club - that's where your wages are paid - and you're happy there, anything else is a bonus Andy Hazell

"As a player now you know how the England set up works, you can be in it one minute and out of the next as everyone in our squad seems to find out sooner or later!"

"If you're in it - fantastic! Enjoy it and give it your best and go from there, it's one of those things you look back and think I wish I'd have done this or that."

"But that's hindsight and as long as you play well for your club - that's where your wages are paid - and you're happy there, anything else is a bonus."

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