All systems are go when we get the green light for restart – Luke Gale

It has been a long time coming and I think all the lads are ready now after nearly four months of not playing.

We are keeping fit and waiting to get the nod and once we do, we’ll be all systems go.

It is exciting, but the holiday has finally come to an end and it’s time to get back to work!

There’s a meeting of clubs today to wrap up all the details, but from what we’ve been told, we’ll get a couple of weeks’ training before we play again.

That is fine with me, the less the better as far as I am concerned.

I just want to get back out there, I feel good and I would play tomorrow if I had the chance.

The middles probably need a bit more time, because of the contact, but it is what it is and we’ve got to play the hand we’ve been dealt.

We aren’t going to be able to have a six-week pre-season so we will crack on in the time we’ve got and make the best of it.

Everyone’s in the same boat and it will take a bit of time for all teams to get back into the swing of things.

That’s how it is at the start of any season.

There’s been seven rounds played this year and I think things were just starting to settle down then. That’s how long it took.

I think it will take at least three or four rounds for everybody to get back up to speed and see where they stand, but I think the teams with the bigger squads and the younger, fresher players will be in a good place.

I think that’s what we’ve got at the Rhinos so I am excited about what might happen.

We have got two games in hand and from what I’ve heard we will be playing those before round eight begins.

If we can come in strong and knock those two off, we are going to be in a good spot.

It will probably be a condensed season anyway so if we can start with a couple of wins, we will be in decent shape.

It’s going to be a bit strange if the weather stays how it has been for the last couple of days.

Normally when we’re preparing for the season to start, it’s absolutely freezing. I remember playing in the fog at Wigan in a pre-season game this year.

This heatwave is a bit different. I trained in it on Wednesday; a few of the lads – me, Cam Smith, Ash Handley and Cal McLelland – met up at 8 o’clock and did a session and it was 22 degrees.

We were laughing about how tough it would be to play in those conditions. The only time I can remember doing it was in Australia at the last World Cup.

We played Papua New Guinea and that was the hottest game I have ever played in. To be honest, I’d moan if it was too hot and moan if it was too cold.

We’re English, so we want a happy medium.

But it is good now we are able to meet up with a few of the boys at a time.

It is a lot easier to run when you’re with the lads and you’re pushing each other on.

We’re into the second week of that now and I’m really impressed with how the boys have looked after themselves over this period.

I made reference to it with the boys themselves and I think our young boys have been great.

They have been really focused. I suppose as a young lad it would be quite easy to fall off and not put in the work you need to do away from training itself.

They’ve not done that and I think they’ve put in an awesome effort.

The older lads too, but our team is probably more the younger end and they have carried themselves really well over the last 12-14 weeks.