Saints start their return to the big time against Worcester at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday in front of the Sky Sports cameras, and with 13,000 fans behind them they will be hoping for a winning start to settle any early-season nerves about relegation.

But Worcester have added Australian Chris Latham to a growing list of stars in their back line that also includes All Blacks Rico Gear and Sam Tuitupou.

Worcester may have finished 10th last season, but they finished the campaign by beating Gloucester, Leicester and Sale, and former England fly-half Barnes feels they will be too strong for a Saints side finding their feet back in the Premiership.

"It is going to be very hard for Saints," said Barnes, who also toured with the British Lions. "Worcester are going to be one of the stronger teams this season. I reckon they will finish in the top six.

"They finished last season so well it wouldn't surprise me if Worcester nicked it in a tight game, with a bonus point for Northampton.

"But I don't think it is a must-win game for Northampton. I think the critical thing for them is to put together a quality of performance in the first three or four games to really get the belief going.

"That is very much how Dean Richards saw it last year at Harlequins.

"I don't think Saints have to beat Worcester. One or two players might be a metre off the pace in the early game or two.

"The crowd might take them through on Sunday,but I think it will be a one or two-point margin for Worcester. I'm a bit of a fan of Worcester.

"If Chris Latham is fully fit they will shock people this year."