Collins gives supporters an insight into strange new times at Saints

Tom Collins has explained how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected day-to-day life at Saints.
Tom CollinsTom Collins
Tom Collins

From socially-distanced training to regular screening and testing, things are far from back to normal at Franklin's Gardens.

And, writing in his blog for OCM Wealth Management, speedy wing Collins gave Saints fans an idea of what it's like at the club as the players prepare to return to action next month.

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"Having now been back at training for three weeks, it is exciting that we have been able to slowly move into Stage 2 of returning to competition," Collins wrote.

"Each week starts with screening in the car park where the medics take every player’s temperature.

"After this, we walk through the village and car park into one of the Academy changing rooms where all the COVID testing takes place.

"Now, when I say this is probably the worst part of the week, I mean it. Having a cotton bud that is around four to five inches long inserted up your nose for five or so seconds isn’t the nicest. Although seeing every player in the squad walk out of the medics' room crying is a funny sight!

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"Once we have completed our test it’s upstairs for a gym session followed by socially-distanced session outside - we still have to follow the guidelines on Monday until all test results have come back the following day.

"On Tuesday morning, if everyone is negative and COVID free, we can progress with Stage 2 of return to competition.

"It’s been tough on the body getting used to contact again. When you’ve got a group of players who are chomping at the bit to get back playing, there is no love lost in the contact sessions.

"We are four weeks out from matches now, with a lot of rugby to play. We have been given four days to relax before joining back up on Monday for another week of intense team training.

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"I think as a team we’re looking good. All the new boys are slowly getting to grips with our shape and phase play, and hopefully after four more weeks of working hard we will have everyone ready for game day.

"It’s exciting at the moment when I look around the lads in the changing room, as there is such a strong connection between boys, due to most of us growing up In the Academy together.

"The number of quality players coming through the system is exciting and it’s a credit to the Academy coaches who have done such a good job as well as senior coaches giving the opportunity for players to impress.

"I'm looking forward to the coming weeks and keeping everyone up to date with our progression back to playing. I hope everyone is well."

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