CENCUS JOHNSTON aims to utilise his World Cup experience with Samoa by taking Saracens to new heights this season.

The 20st bulldozer starred in all of the South Pacific island's four Pool A matches which yielded one win, against the USA and three defeats to South Africa, England and Tonga.

The first of Sarries' seven stars to return to the training ground from World Cup duty, Johnston is now concentrating on packing down for his club after all the elation and adulation of France.

And with Cobus Visagie still recovering from surgery to his troublesome left elbow and fellow tight-head Tom Mercey out after picking up a thigh injury at Leeds, Johnston's return to domestic action could not have been more timely.

"The tournament was one of the greatest experiences of my life," said the 25-year-old gentle giant. "It was just a pity we could not push through to the quarter finals. That was disappointing as a lot was expected of our team but, unfortunately we weren't able to produce the goods. It's always sad to leave the boys but I'm happy to be back at Saracens where there are a few new faces."

"I've always wanted to give the World Cup a good go and try my best, but I'm back at Sarries now and want to take it up another level. I have experienced a higher level of rugby and I hope to bring that experience to Sarries, starting this weekend."

Johnston has already cemented cult hero status with the Fez Heads after scoring three tries in 14 appearances in his debut Men in Black season. His first came as a replacement against Northampton Saints at Vicarage Road and he followed that up with another score on his first start during Sarries' New Year's Day defeat at Leicester Tigers. Several Wasps players were Johnston's next victims as he trampled his way to the line in Sarries' one-point defeat at Adams Park in April.

And, just like he does for his club, Johnston plays for his country like if it's his final career match. Full of zest, determination and a surprising turn of pace, the powerhouse lives for rugby.

He recalls Samoa's opening game against South Africa as one of his World Cup highlights. "Just being out there singing the national anthem and playing against an awesome team, you could not ask for much more than that," he added. "We pushed them in the first half but unfortunately the score blew up at the end.

"I was happy with the boys and the following game was the turning point for us when we lost against Tonga. We didn't give them the respect they deserved and they ended up putting us out."

Johnston says he has been pleasantly surprised with the gritty performances of some of the competition's unfancied sides and thinks it has been a more attractive spectacle for it.

"I don't think anyone expected Tonga to go as far as they did," he continued. "They have a good team and put in some awesome performances. It's the same for Fiji as everyone thought Wales would give them a good hiding but they turned it around, and I'm pretty happy for them."

While in France, Johnston was kept informed of Saracens' first couple of Premiership results and he cannot wait to get back into the thick of things at Sixways tomorrow (Saturday).

"We've had a good start apart from a hiccup against Gloucester, but I heard we gave a good performance and that a few mistakes cost us the game," said the prop. "The boys are on the right track and hopefully we can get another win at Worcester this weekend."

Johnston is confident Saracens can make the Premiership final this season while also making an impact on their return to the Heineken Cup after an enforced one year break.

"I think the guys want to go one step further this time by getting to the semis and then hopefully the final. But we've got to do everything right from the start and get a good lead at the beginning of the competition to build our way up from there. I'm sure the boys will want to do better this year and I hope to help out."

Johnston is also looking forward to returning to the Parc des Sports Aquilera next month where his former club Biarritz lie in wait for Saracens in their second Heineken Cup pool game. The Samoan was part of their side which finished as 2006 European runners-up and French Top 14 champions.

"It's always hard to go back to Biarritz as it's pretty much where I started my professional career," recalls Johnston. "I'm hoping to give them a good go and I'm sure the boys will be up for it, and hopefully I'll be up for it as well as it will be a good challenge for us."

Have Saracens got what it takes to get beyond the pool stages? "Yes, sure. I think we've got the players to get us to the quarter finals and even the semis, and just like the Premiership we want to look at making the final after that."

Sarries boss Alan Gaffney was a relieved man to have Johnston back in training this week with his tight-head pool decimated by injuries.

"It's good that Cencus is back, particularly after Tom Mercey picked up an injury against Leeds," said the Aussie. "And with Cobus already out it was essential that Cencus came back.

"We were going to give him some time off, which he probably didn't need but we had to send the SOS out and he's come straight back. We'll give him a bit of time off later in the year but it's very nice to see him."