CALLUM Black intends to see out his playing days at Sixways – but he hopes the early mornings spent in the hot tub will help to prolong his career.

The veteran loosehead prop, who turns 34 in February, is the oldest member of Worcester Warriors’ current squad.

And when playing alongside the likes of rising stars Ted Hill, 20, and Ollie Lawrence, 20, Black admits he might be viewed by some as the “old fogey” within the group.

But Black is relishing his role as one of the senior figures at the club and is keen to hold off on retirement for as long as possible.

“I am the oldest here,” said the ex-Ulster front-rower.

“But it’s good as I can pass on my experience.

“The younger boys bring a bit of buzz and pick me up when I am feeling a bit old and tired.

“But I am loving it. I still feel good and am enjoying it more than ever.”

Flanker Matt Cox, 31, scrum-half Francois Hougaard, 31, locks Anton Bresler, 31 and Graham Kitchener, 30, full-back Chris Pennell, 32, and number eight Gerrit-Jan van Velze, 31, are the only other players in their 30s.

“There is no hierarchy with different levels of seniority,” Black continued.

“Apart from myself, almost everyone else is a similar age.

“We are a tight group, there is good competition and everyone bounces off each other.

“If you ask someone else, they may say I’m the old fogey but hopefully not!”

Asked what he does differently to keep himself in good condition, Black said: “I come in very early most mornings.

“I get a rub down and sit in the hot tub for about half an hour just to warm the body up.

“That’s my only secret.

“I am going to keep playing as long as I feel like I can to the level I want to and add value to the squad.”

Black came through Warriors’ academy, making a half century of appearances, before leaving in 2011 to join Ulster.

But the powerful scrummager was tempted back by boss Alan Solomons last summer and is determined to finish his career on a “good note” at Warriors.

“When I was here before we were always a team that were around the bottom, fighting relegation,” Black said.

“But when I decided to come back I saw a team that could really push up the table and become a top-six club.

“The new owners have that same vision and we really feel as a squad that we should be pushing up that table.

“As long as I can add value to that, that’s what I am going to do.”

Black, whose current contract runs out next summer, has made 87 appearances for Warriors – seven of those coming this term.

“I had my time at Ulster but I am here now,” Black added.

“This is the club where I started my career.

“I have loved every moment of it and would hope that I can finish my playing days here and finish on a good note by putting us where I want the club to be.

“During the whole time I have been associated with Worcester it’s always had a great academy.

“Solly is on the same wavelength as he wants the academy to be the driving force for Worcester Warriors.

“That puts pressure on us, the current squad, to make sure we get the club to a position in the league where we will get the academy kids to stay here and be the future.

“That’s the aim.”