Saints’ comings and goings strange for Salesi

International commitments have meant the Northampton coaches have been forced to shuffle their pack on a regular basis in 2014.

But, injuries aside, the club can now call on their full resources for this weekend’s Aviva Premiership trip to Saracens.

And they moved to strengthen the bonds by jetting off for a warm weather camp in Lanzarote on Monday.

Ma’afu is glad to have everyone back together again, and admits the past couple of months have been an alien experience for him.

“We’ve had a lot of guys away recently so it will be good to have everyone back together and get us all on the same page,” said the 31-year-old, who moved to Saints from Western Force last summer.

“It’s been really strange. I’ve never experienced anything like that. It’s about having to understand the guys who have come through and replaced others.

“You’ve got to understand your team-mates and get those combinations. It’s the same in the lineout and scrum that I’ve had to do homework on my guys and the opposition.

“It’s about seeing what’s best and how we can work best as a unit.”