It means more to play for Saints, says silverware-hungry Fisher

And for the men who didn’t sample that indellible day at Twickeham in May last year, there is a desperation to get their own slice of glory this season.

“We were so close to success last year and I came in after they had won it the season before,” said Jon Fisher, who signed following a successful trial a few months after the title triumph.

“I’m just desperate for the club to win it again - I need that, I need the medal.

“There’s probably 50/50 in the group who have got that medal and the others who haven’t.

“The guys who have got that medal will bring what they bring, but the rest of us need to contribute.”

Fisher is set to start the season in Saints’ No.8 shirt.

Just as he was last year, when trying to win a full-time deal, the former London Irish star has been one of the stand-out players during pre-season.

His ability to break defences with raw power is there for all to see, and he showed his try-scoring prowess with one at Wasps a couple of weeks back.

For a man who has sampled some dark times through injury, the determination is clear.

And it is clear that donning the green, black and gold brings the best out of him.

“It’s no disrespect to other clubs but it just means a bit more to play for this club and I’m not embarrassed to say that,” Fisher said. “It’s true and that’s just how I found it.

“It’s the history, the supporters, everything that goes on here.

“The players here are truly invested in the club. Everyone wants to have the best experience they can as a professional rugby player and there’s an appreciation for how short the career is.”

While Fisher is set to be a first-team regular this season, there are many other talented players at Saints who may have to make do with Wanderers rugby.

And the side that will take to the field should be one to fear, with a new level of depth at Franklin’s Gardens this season.

“With the depth in the pack we’ve got this year, getting in the A-League squad is going to be impressive,” Fisher said.

“But when you get the opportunity to play for this club in that jersey you cannot play badly.

“Everything around you is in place to play well and there are no excuses.

“If you don’t play well, there’s someone who will come in and do it so there’s that pressure on you to perform, which is good.”

Saints’ second-string players showed their prowess with a stirring comeback win against Worcester Warriors at the Gardens last Friday.

It was the conclusion of a pre-season campaign that saw the club win all three of their matches.

And now they will set their sights on taking that form into the first Aviva Premiership game, at Worcester on Friday night.

The strength of the squad, with all of the England stars available, should signal an away win against the newly-promoted side.

“You’d like to think so,” said Fisher, who will be under pressure from Sam Dickinson for the No.8 shirt this season.

“For us the real importance is to right the wrongs in Europe and the league. It’s that simple and that’s the plan.”

It’s not a bad one.