Saints open the Guinness Premiership season with a home clash against Worcester on Sunday, and after bringing in 12 new players over the summer Mallinder says he is happy with what he has got.

It would have been 13 but Romanian prop Petru Balan's move from Biarritz was called off when he failed a fitness test.

That means there is still a bit of spare cash for Mallinder to strengthen his squad, but for the time being he wants his new dozen to bed in.

Mallinder said: "Recruitment is an ongoing process, but we are happy with what we have got at the moment.

"We have brought in 12 new players for this season, so it is enough, but we need to be continuing to look to improve in all areas."

Mallinder is wary that although Saints start the season in front of packed out Franklin's Gardens, Worcester, who sent Northampton down, are an improving outfit.

"They will be a really good test," said Mallinder. "They didn't start particularly well last season, but they finished very strongly and got to a cup final.

"They have got a lot of good players, some high profile international players, a good set of forwards, two of probably the best outside backs there are in Rico Gear and Chris Latham and a very strong midfield. It is going to be a massive test."