Boyd knows Saints need to get off to a flying start in Europe

With four pool matches rather than the standard six, Saints will have to make a flying start when they welcome Bordeaux-Bègles to Franklin's Gardens this evening (kick-off 5.30pm).

It will be a tough test, with another to follow, as Saints must travel to Dublin to take on Leinster next Saturday.

And Boyd said: "Two opponents, four games and it was seeded so we're up against the No.1 seed in the Pro 12 and Top 14 so it's a pretty tough draw.

"We'll get a good indication of where we're going after the first couple of weeks so there's a ying and yang in that.

"I would imagine the clubs who win three games out of four will be striving.

"My guess is that it won't take long before there are some serious mismatches."

Saints made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup last season, eventually losing to Exeter Chiefs in the last eight.

But they did do the double over a French side along the way, defeating Lyon home and away in the pool stages.

And Boyd said: "It (the Bordeaux game) is a challenge we're looking forward to and much the same as last year when we played Lyon at home.

"The boys enjoyed playing the French teams because it's different so there are different challenges and different people to come up against.

"They're a very good side and very well coached.

"They probably play the closest to an English style of game compared to a lot of French teams so they're well disciplined, well organised and have very good individuals.

"I think they've won four of their past five games and when the French league stopped last season because of Covid they were top so they're a good side.

"It's a massive challenge for us."