'Music to my ears' - Boyd and Wood reflect on the return of the Saints fans

And though the team couldn't eventually get over the line, losing 16-12 in dramatic fashion to Bordeaux-Bègles in the Champions Cup opener, there was a real positive to take.

It was that around 2,000 supporters could finally return to see their team and give them the boost that for so long seemed set to carry them to a long-awaited win.

The Gardens was transformed by the presence of supporters and a much-needed atmosphere.

And those involved certainly enjoyed it.

Tom Wood, Saints captain for the night, said: "As a professional you turn up and you give your all every week - it doesn't matter if you're in front of a full crowd or one man and his dog.

"You always put your heart and soul into it but it makes for such a better occasion and Franklin's Gardens is such an awesome place to play when it is full and buzzing.

"To have a taste of that after such a long time and have a few numbers in, it really does make the occasion more special for everyone."

And Saints boss Chris Boyd said: "We wondered how much difference 2,000 people would make and it made a massive difference for us.

"Even when the team was announced and the clapping started, I thought 'that's music to my ears' and we feel very sorry that we weren't able to pay the faithful back with a victory.

"We put in a performance that was on point for about 80 per cent of the game but those little lapses cost us getting the result we wanted.

"But having the fans back did make a huge difference."