“We know that we’ll be targeted as a big game by every side that we come up against,” he says. “The standard is also increasing year after year as more teams go professional and more Premiership sides give young players match time in division one sides.

“So there’s no complacency in the squad. Jim Mallinder and the coaches have emphasised that from day one. The challenge for us is to keep our standards at the highest level week in, week out. There is plenty of competition within the squad which helps, especially in the back row, which is only going to increase with the arrival of Joe Van Niekerk, and we’re pushing each other all the time.”

Easter, who joined the Saints from Nottingham, has plenty of experience in National League One with his former club. He says that he hasn’t had too much banter with his old team mates, largely because “their squad has changed quite a bit!” He also described the difference in playing styles that the Saints players and supporters will witness this coming season.

“It’s very forward-dominated,” commented the number 8, whose elder brother Nick is in contention for an England World Cup spot. “This means that our pack will be in a battle every week. The squad has got quality backs who can score if they have the ball and space so we’ve got to get it right up front.”

Easter has only recently returned to fitness after missing the last few months of last season with an injured ankle. He says that there are no after effects and credits the Saints physio and conditioning staff for tailoring his recovery programme to enable this.

“I had my first full contact session in nearly six months the other day and didn’t even think about it until afterwards. If anything the ankle is stronger than before the injury! It’s been a steady progression week on week graduating into contact work and I can’t wait to get some game time when the season starts.”

* The club also announced that it had agreed terms with prop Pat Barnard for the release of his contract.