Saints' international stars have 'ripped back in' ahead of Saracens clash

On Monday afternoon, the club published a series of training photos online which included Danilo Fischetti, Trevor Davison, Elliot Millar Mills, Henry Pollock, Fin Smith, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman and even Alex Mitchell, who continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained on Guinness Six Nations duty.

When asked about how his Six Nations players have adjusted to being back on the paddock at the Gardens, Dowson said: "They've been good.

"I think they appreciated the time off and they've ripped back in.

"The first few days have been excellent as you would expect from those characters and we've enjoyed it.

"I think it would be a good atmosphere around the place even if we hadn't won (against Newcastle Red Bulls) last weekend. We'd obviously be disappointed but our attitude and energy and environment isn't dictated by week to week. It obviously has an impact but we're going to have fun whatever and make sure we give ourselves the best chance this weekend."

Saints had a lengthy injury list to contend with last weekend. It included the names of: Archie Benson, Coles, Davison, Sam Graham, George Hendy, Josh Kemeny, Henry Lumley, Millar Mills, Mitchell, Edoardo Todaro, and JJ Van Der Mescht.

However, there was positive news on Davison and van der Mescht this week.

Dowson said: “Trev's training and JJ's hopefully training by the back end of the week.”

Coles and Mitchell look set to remain sidelined, along with the likes of Sam Graham, Edoardo Todaro and George Hendy.

But Archie Benson and Josh Kemeny could have a chance to be available.

Elliot Millar Mills was said to be ‘day to day’ last week and he has been pictured in training.

Saints will be monitoring George Furbank after his eye swelled up following a big collision with Sammy Arnold in the win against Newcastle Red Bulls last Saturday, while Ed Prowse and Robbie Smith were forced off during the first half of that match.