Worcester centre Dale Rasmussen is happy to be back in the team after a five-week spell on the sidelines.

Rasmussen returned from injury against Scarlets last week and appeared against Bath in Friday's 12-12 Premiership draw at Sixways.

He told BBC Hereford and Worcester: "You can't replicate match fitness other than playing in a game.

"The lungs were burning a bit against Scarlets and were a bit better in the Bath game."

He added: I will looking to step it up this week and get through a bit more work."

The 32-year-old Samoa international played in Warriors' first ever Premiership game in 2004 and admits he is getting towards being called a veteran.

"There's not too many of us around now," he added. "It's all the young bucks coming though.

"It's a good balance of old heads and fresh talent and they are putting their hands up and playing well.

It is a tougher game, the guys are highly tuned athletes now, they spend a lot of time in the gym Worcester Warriors centre Dale Rasmussen

"It's a pride thing and you would not be playing if you didn't have that pride and competitive edge.

"At the moment we have that from one to 15, with a lot of guys competing for places and making life difficult for the one who has the jersey."

Rasmussen, who joined the club from Exeter Chiefs, says the Premiership is a lot harder league than when he started.

"It is a tougher game, the guys are highly tuned athletes now, they spend a lot of time in the gym.

"The conditioners are educated and they know what specifics they have to do, so everyone is fitter, stronger and faster.

"There are more collisions and there is a higher injury rate. And the tinkering with the rules sometimes changes the dynamics of the game in different ways."

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