Saints boss Boyd looking forward to 'fresh start' in Europe

Boyd's side will begin their European campaign at home to Bordeaux-Bègles on Friday evening.

It will be the first game with fans inside Franklin's Gardens since February, with 2,000 Saints supporters allowed to attend.

And on the back of three defeats at the start of the new Gallagher Premiership season, Boyd said: "Maybe Europe's come at the right time.

"We get a fresh start against Bordeaux at home next week in front of some fans, which will be really nice.

"And we'll welcome back three or four key players next week, which will change the dynamic at little.

"We've got a very tough pool with Leinster and Bordeaux who are good sides from the Pro 12 and the Top 14 but we'll throw ourselves into that first game and see what happens."

Saints thought they had finally ended their long wait for a win, which stretches back to August, when they took a 14-0 lead at Bristol Bears on Friday night.

But the Bears bit back, sealing a dramatic win with the final kick of the game as Sam Bedlow did the business from the tee.

And Boyd said: "I would blame the skill execution more than the decisions.

"We had two situations in the middle third where we played when we should possibly have put some squeeze on with some territory.

"By and large I thought our decisions were pretty good but our execution, particularly around the set piece, wasn't good enough."

When asked what the mood of the Saints coaches was like after the loss at Ashton Gate, Boyd said: "They're dejected, as we should be - this is high performance sport.

"We're here to make players better and play better so there is some sharp learning going on, but they're hurting like we all are."