Lawes ready to produce big season at Saints after solving injury problem

The lofty lock had been playing through the pain barrier for a number of months, with an ankle problem preventing him from reaching his peak.

But after helping England to a 3-0 series victory in Australia, he had surgery to make sure he will be in top condition for the new campaign.

And after returning to pre-season training this week, he is now looking forward to putting in a huge effort for his club in the forthcoming campaign, which begins on September 3.

“My ankle was playing up for a long time,” the 27-year-old said. “I initially injured it about three years ago, so it’s been bad for a long, long while and it feels a lot better now.

“Obviously I haven’t started running yet, but in the gym, doing certain things, it feels a lot better, so hopefully this season will be a big one for me.

“It was a big clean out – there was a lot of stuff in there that shouldn’t have been there – but like I said I’m looking forward to getting back out there and seeing how much of a difference it’s going to make.

“At the start of the season, and during it, hopefully I’ll be able to train a bit more and things like that so it’s onwards and upwards from here.”