"In the 35 days the squad have actively been together, there have been 53 training sessions. That is one hell of a demand on players at this time of the year, but they have responded magnificently.
"For the most part, it has been gruelling work, but we have also had our lighter moments. For instance, last Friday - one of the hottest days of the summer - we warned the guys that they were to take part in their hardest and toughest session of them all.
"They all turned up at Hughenden and they looked pretty daunted when we ran through the agenda. They were sweating buckets just thinking about what was supposed to lie ahead.
"Then just as we were about to start we announced to them that they were being wound up and that the reason we had called them in was to throw a big barbecue for them."
Lineen added: "I have to stress that it was a one-off and that it won't be happening every Friday."
He said: "We don't look back at what happened last season. We are only looking forwards. The guys are extremely annoyed that they are only playing in the European Challenge Cup and both chief coach Hugh Campbell and I feel the same way.
"It makes us all angry that Edinburgh and the Borders will be going into the Heineken Cup because that's where we want to be. The players know what they have to do to make that aspiration come true. That's our big goal for the season."
Lineen, however, laughed off the notion that the consolation tournament would provide his side with a straightforward path to glory.
He said: "Montpellier is a very tough draw indeed. The Borders were pitted against Madrid last year - the only similarity is the fact that they both start with M."
Calvin Howarth admits that linking up again with his old Boroughmuir mentor had been a major personal boost.
"It has been great having him around. He has the same rugby ideals as me, a positive 15-man game. Sean's arrival has been a breath of fresh air for me, and I am sure the rest of the backs in the squad.
"Obviously, there are a lot of other new faces in the set-up and I believe we have a potent blend of youth and experience. At the age of 27 I suddenly find I am the fourth oldest in the squad, and with that statistic comes extra responsibilities - ones I will relish."