With less than a fortnight to go until they welcome Worcester Warriors to Franklin's Gardens on the opening day of the new campaign, Saints head coach Jim Mallinder and skipper Bruce Reihana are hoping for a capacity crowd to celebrate their re-admission to the Premiership.

Despite the initial disappointment of being home to National One rugby last year, Franklin's Gardens regularly attracted strong crowds throughout the 2007/08 season, and Mallinder is looking for even better attendances this time around.

"The players, coaches and support staff have all been working extremely hard throughout the summer and everyone is hoping for a full Franklin's Gardens," says Mallinder, who took over as head coach from Paul Grayson in 2007.

"Last season the number of people who followed the team home and away was absolutely phenomenal. In the coming months their support will be even more important, especially against the Warriors in the first match of the campaign.

"Worcester sent coaches out to Vichy to watch us in action against Clermont Auvergne. This shows how seriously they are taking us and every little thing will help make the difference, starting with the support of a sell-out crowd."

That plea was re-iterated by Reihana, who showed his loyalty by ignoring interest from other clubs to stay with Northampton last season.

"All of the players love seeing full stands and knowing we have the support of the town behind us," Reihana adds.

"The Saints really puts Northampton on the map - it was big news in New Zealand when the club won the Heineken Cup a few years ago.

"The fans are a big part of that and by supporting us from day one of the season they can help bring some pride to the club and the town."