Matavesi: We need to hit the ground running

NORTHAMPTON hooker Sam Matavesi wants normal service to be resumed after what has been "a weird year" in the Premiership and an unusual week all round.

-  JON NEWCOMBE

Premiership Saints went into the two-month break flying high as league leaders and are using friendlies against Stormers and Sale, teams known for their physicality, to get them match-ready for their first league game back, at Bristol on Friday March 22.

With an unprecedented number of players away at the Six Nations - Alex Coles, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith and Tom Pearson - Matavesi says it is up to those on club duty to ensure they're in a position to hit the ground running when they return.

It is something Saracens did so successfully when they dominated English rugby, and Saints must do the same if they are to realise their dreams of a first Premiership title in 10 years.

"It's been quite a weird year, we have had such an unbelievable start, then had a big break, and now we have to get going again," said the Fiji international.

"It's like that for every other team but I think, for us in these next two games, the boys here have to drive that so that when the boys that have been away with England and Scotland (prop Elliot Millar Mills), who have been pretty massive in getting us there, come back in, we are where we want to be for that Bristol week."