New head of performance Nick Johnston this week revealed the Saints players are two years behind the fitness levels of the top six in the Premiership.

And in an effort to catch up, Johnston, who was brought from his old club Sale by director of rugby Jim Mallinder at the end of last season, has implemented a gruelling training schedule.

Reihana captained Saints to a double-winning season in National League One and is renowned for his power and pace, but even the former All Black is feeling the effects of 6am starts, strongman competitions and 5km rows around Pitsford reservoir.

"So far it's been the hardest pre-season we have ever known," said Reihana, who along with the rest of the players starts his day with blood and urine tests to check on their progress.

"It is really good, we worked hard last season to get where we are now and we've got to work even harder to prepare for the Premiership and try to fight our way out of the bottom.

"They have been working us very, very hard. It is the sort of stuff we need to do, we need to work hard all over again, a lot harder than we have ever done before.

"We know what is ahead of us, it is going to be very, very tough up there in the Premiership. We are at the bottom of the ladder and we have got to work our way back up again."