After wrapping up the National League One title and promotion back to the top flight at a canter, finishing unbeaten and breaking a host of records along the way, Saints were handed their toughest pre-season ever.

But Mallinder and new head of performance Nick Johnston have made sure the players didn't get carried away with such success and implemented a gruelling pre-season programme.

Some players hardly had a break as their fitness levels were improved with 5km runs, strongman events, kayaking around Pitsford reservoir and a revamping of their diets.

Mallinder, who along with skipper Bruce Reihana was at the launch of the Guinness Premiership season at the Hilton Hotel in London, said: "Pre-season was just a bit of a reality check.

"Last season we did quite well in the first division, but we had to only achieve a certain level of fitness.

"This season it's going to be completely different and I think it was just a reminder to the lads not to think that we're there and to know that they've got a long way to go.

"They've responded brilliantly, and worked doubly hard, they've been coming in early. Nick's changed a lot of things off the field and they've responded brilliantly, the experienced players and the young players."

Johnston is one of a host of staff and players brought in from Mallinder's old club Sale as the Saints director of rugby looks to rebuild the club with what he knows works.

Mallinder added: "A lot of the time you bring in people who you know and you've worked with.

"What we've looked for is we want a bit of experience and we've also looked for a bit of youth, up and coming lads who've got something to build and have got points to make."

Given the amount of interest from the national press at yesterday's launch the Premiership has certainly missed Saints and it's huge support as Mallinder said: "It's unbelievable.

Last season the number of people who followed the team home and away was absolutely phenomenal. The amount of people, the press coverage, the media stuff, it's something I'm not used to and I'm only slowly getting used to it to be honest.

It's fantastic and we're looking forward to having a big crowd following us next season."