Hazell: Atmosphere is better than ever
The openside feels there is an enthusiasm about the squad that has not been there in other pre-seasons he has experienced.
Whether that will translate on to the field immediately Hazell is not certain, but one thing is for sure – it will not be for lack of effort.
"We are working harder than ever because everyone is so enthusiastic," Hazell said.
"It's not that we haven't worked hard before, but it really is an enjoyable place to be at the moment.
"We have changed a lot of the things were are doing, and some of the emphasis on the way we are looking to play. Everyone is doing things with a smile on their faces."
That goes for the new signings and the academy players who have made the step up, who Hazell said are being made to earn their stripes.
"The academy boys who have been bumped are all running around making the tea and learning what it's all about," he said.
"(Fitness coach) Mark Bitcon is doing his first pre-season, and with Bryan (Redpath) as head coach there's a whole new feeling about the squad."
The latest change in the laws at the breakdown should offer more scope for Hazell to play his natural spoiling game from number seven.
But he is too savvy to expect anything until he finds out how the referees will interpret the change.
He said: "We have been placing a lot of emphasis on the breakdown in training – everyone, not just me. But until we actually put it into practice you never know. It does look good for me on paper, though."
Gloucester's pre-season schedule kicks off with Hazell's testimonial, against a Bath XV skippered by Lee Mears on August 15.
Meanwhile, the first four rounds of Heineken Cup fixtures were confirmed yesterday, with Gloucester kicking off against Newport Gwent Dragons on Friday, October 9 at Kingsholm, before a trip to Biarritz eight days later.
"It's always good at night at Kingsholm, so that will be one to look forward to," Hazell said.
"And Biarritz will mean getting reacquainted with Iain Balshaw, so we'll look forward to that one too."
The Cherry and Whites face a December double-header against Glasgow before return fixtures against first Biarritz and then Newport in January.
Gloucester Heineken Cup fixtures: Newport Gwent Dragons (h) Friday October 9 (8pm); Biarritz (a) Saturday October 17 (2:35pm); Glasgow (a) Friday December 11 (8pm);Glasgow (h) Sunday December 20 (12.45pm); Biarritz (h) 15/16/17 January; Newport Gwent Dragons (a) 22/23/24 January.
Comment on this story