MELANI Nanai will travel with the rest of his team-mates to Spain as Worcester Warriors step up their preparations for the new season.

Warriors jet off to Valencia tomorrow (Sunday) for a week-long training camp where the players will be put through their paces in searing heat.

Nanai is the latest player to arrive at Sixways having only joined up with Alan Solomons’ squad last week after being released by New Zealand Rugby Union.

But the versatile back, who signed from Super Rugby side Blues, is already being integrated into training and is starting to get up to speed.

“He has acquitted himself very well,” said boss Solomons.

“We are bleeding him in but he has fitted in as have all the guys which I am really pleased with.

“The bits I have seen of him so far confirm what I saw in Super Rugby that he is a quality player.

“What is good is that Melani is not taking part in the Mitre10 Cup in New Zealand so once the Super Rugby finished he has had a decent break.

“It is not like he is doing back-to-back seasons. But we have to do it correctly to get him ready for the season.”

Solomons felt his side benefitted from their time away in Spain last summer as players got a chance to form bonds ahead of the season.

“It was fantastic,” Solomons said. “The facilities were outstanding and the weather was great so we are going back to the same place.

“The camp last year was more conditioning-focused whereas this year will be more rugby-focused but everyone is looking forward to it.

“We have not had a lot of changes to the team. We have had seven new players coming in but it’s really good for those guys (to get to know each other).

“It’s a really nice opportunity for a guy like Melani who has only just come in to be with the boys for a week.”

Warriors are seven weeks into pre-season with the first six of those dedicated to fitness work.

Solomons said he would give his men a week off after returning from Spain before gearing up for their Premiership Cup opener against Leicester Tigers at Sixways on Saturday, September 21.

“Each club determines how they operate but everybody will have a block where they condition the players,” Solomons said.

“How they filter the rugby in is up to them.

“I am very happy with where we are at.”