Picamoles desperate to bring silverware to Saints

The 30-year-old, who has 54 Test caps to his name, is the club’s big summer recruit, having arrived from Toulouse.

And Saints will hope Picamoles can help catapult them back into the Aviva Premiership top four, with the club having finished fifth last season.

The powerhouse No.8 is confident he can make his mark in England and is desperate to help his new team claim trophies during his three-year contract.

“It (the Premiership) is a big championship, very fast and faster than in France,” Picamoles said.

“We say in France that the English championship is very strong and when I see it, you can tell they want to play a lot.

“I want to progress with the team and take the pleasure on the pitch with the other players.

“I will work to help the team to be the best.

“I hope we can win trophies.”

Picamoles will also hope to help Saints conquer Europe and he knows plenty about two of the teams in their Champions Cup pool.

Top 14 teams Montpellier and Castres will join Leinster and Saints in Pool 4.

And Picamoles said: “It’s a good pool, full of strong teams, with Castres, Montpellier and Leinster.

“It’s a big pool but I’m sure we can do something because I know Castres, Montpellier and Leinster and I’m sure they will be tough games, but we have a good squad.

“We hope to progress in the Champions Cup.”