While pre-season isn't all about winning, Alex Waller believes that in wrapping up an unbeaten summer on Friday night, the Saints have set some solid foundations for the season to come.
The final scoreline against Ulster was an emphatic one, nine tries handing the hosts a 55-15 victory at Franklin's Gardens, but it wasn't until the hour mark that the Saints started to ease clear.
"Fair play to Ulster, they put up a tough fight in that first 60 minutes," Waller said on Facebook Live. "They came with a big pack and it was a good workout for us ahead of the big game next week.
"There were positives in the last 20 minutes as well - we were able to go through our phases in attack and the lads that came on did a great job to remain composed and professional rather than going too loose.
"It was good all round - Ulster are by no means a poor team."
Friday evening was the culmination of six-weeks' hard graft both on and off the pitch, the physical benefits outweighing the satisfaction of four wins from four.
"You can't read too much into results because oppositions have mixed their teams, a lot like we have, but it's positive because we obviously want to win everything we play in. Physically, we feel in great shape and that's credit to the shift put in by the strength and conditioning team led by Marc [Finney] and Tommy [Bullough].
"Also, pre-season was rugby from day one along with the fitness and I think that has showed. We feel like we're in a good place."
The true measuring stick will come at Twickenham in seven days' time, however, with double European Champions Saracens the 'hosts' on a blockbuster opening day of the Premiership.
No further motivation needed.
"What an opener, hey?! Everyone's pumped - Sarries at Twickers, it doesn't get much bigger than that.
"There's still a lot of things to work on and we were by no means perfect tonight, but we're ready to go flying into that game next week and start the season well. It's a big couple of weeks."
The Saints are next at home for the small matter of an East Midlands derby on Saturday, September 9th. Tickets for the 4:30pm kick off against Leicester are now extremely limited and can be booked online HERE
