The game against Newcastle will see Saints’ new fly-half Carlos Spencer go head to head with England’s Jonny Wilkinson, but it will also be the first time that Saints’ new players will experience the Franklin’s Gardens roar for the first time.

Director of rugby Budge Pountney said: “This is a great boost for our players. We have told the new players about the fantastic Saints support and I am delighted they will experience a full house from the outset.

“A packed Franklin’s Gardens full of passionate supporters can help give the team that extra edge. Our stadium is a fantastic facility that provides all an opposition team can ever need, apart from the partisan fans! We cannot wait for our first home game of the season.”

Commercial director Allan Robson said: “This game has been selected for live TV coverage by Sky and all of us are eager to show the spirit of the club in all its glory.

“We want to create a sea of black, green and gold as we have done successfully on a number of occasions in the past. We are therefore offering a bit of an incentive by reducing the price of our adult and youth replica home shirts by £10 and children’s shirts by £5 to season ticket holders and members.

“We will also be asking our supporters to put on a massive display, by waving the flags we will be handing out at the turnstiles, as the players run out onto the pitch. Budge feels this will have a great impact on both teams.”

The discounted adult and youth home shirts will cost £44.99, and children’s shirts will cost £34.99.