Josh Navidi is delighted to be back in the Cardiff Blues camp, as his side continue preparations towards the 2017/18 season.
The back row played in both of Wales' summer fixtures, adding to his solitary cap against Japan in 2011, as Robin McBryde's side claimed victories over Tonga and Samoa.
The majority of Cardiff Blues' international contingent returned for pre-season training on Monday.
Navidi believes the cohesion within the squad continues to grow stronger and insists his side target an improved position in the PRO12 table.
"It's good how pre-season has been set up this year. There were boys in for two weeks in the off-season, had four weeks off and then everybody have come back in at the same time," said Navidi.
"Hopefully we'll now get some rugby under our belts in time to kick the season off with a bang.
"It's nice to have a new start to the season and getting back into it. Having four weeks off was refreshing but it's nice to get into the mix of things and get the body ready for pre-season.
"The boys have gelled well over the past two seasons and in training the boys have good banter.
"Training has been spot-on so far, we have another two days to go until a weekend off and then get back into it again next week.
"We're looking to improve on last season and push up the table as far as we can."
The back row spent part of his education in Christchurch, New Zealand, and was over the moon to get the opportunity to return to the land of the Kiwis as Wales faced Tonga at Auckland's Eden Park in June.
Navidi and Wales also travelled to Apia to face Manu Samoa, where he took on Cardiff Blues team-mates Rey Lee-Lo in a wet and windy affair at the Samoan capital.
Navidi added: "It was nice to head back to New Zealand and see a couple of mates over there.
"Samoa is an experience I might not get again unless I go to tour there on my own. It was a lovely country and suits me down to a tee. Nice, laid back culture and a lot of surfing out there as well.
"I saw Rey, and he was looking well. He's just finished last week so I think he'll come in towards the end of pre-season."