Boyd gives injury latest as Saints edge ever closer to return to action

Alex Waller, who suffered an Achilles injury in training back in February, and Tom Wood, who recently had treatment for a pulmonary embolism in his lung, are currently the only confirmed absentees for the first game back.

But Saints, who return to action with a Gallagher Premiership game against Wasps at Franklin's Gardens on August 16, also have a slight doubt about wing Ollie Sleightholme, who is nursing a hamstring problem.

"Ollie Sleightholme has got a little hamstring niggle, but those two (Waller and Wood) are definitely out and the others are there or thereabouts," Boyd said.

So with so many options to choose from, how difficult will selection be during the next 10 days?

"It won't be (difficult) because we'll be sharing the load over the nine games during the five weeks," Boyd said.

"Whether your job is in the 15 or 23 or helping to prepare the group or taking a rest, everyone's going to have a job to do every day.

"We're pretty organised around what that looks like.

"Only one of the jobs is going to be on the field, the rest is off the field and everyone needs to buy into that."