In his blog for whufc.com, Neill wrote: "It was a nice bonus for me to actually get some time off in this international break as I am used to travelling all over the world and playing for Australia but we have found ourselves with no game this time round.

"I know it has become noticeable that in the last month I was looking a bit jaded from all my travelling and playing in the summer, and I haven't felt at the top of my game, but this was the first time in three years I haven't had to go away on international duty.

"It has done me the world of good as I have felt really fresh in the past week. I am really looking forward to the game and getting back into it feeling like I have had a proper break and knowing my energy levels are back up and I feel sharper."