Saints are there to be shot at, says Wilson

And he says he and his team-mates fully expect performances like the one Newcastle produced at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.

The Falcons were resolute for much of the Aviva Premiership encounter, before Wilson and Luther Burrell eventually broke their resistance to give Saints an 18-0.

It was a tough test for Jim Mallinder’s men, who had won their previous five games and were expected to cruise to victory against the newly-promoted outfit.

But Wilson insists he never anticipated an easy day at the office and knows second-placed Saints are there to be shot at.

“Every game in the Premiership is tough and teams are going to bring it week in, week out,” said the Kiwi centre.

“It’s what happens when you’re one of the best teams in the Premiership: everyone’s going to want to have a crack at you.

“We know what to expect. It’s tough, whether we play at home or away, and Newcastle brought it on Saturday.

“It was a good game to be involved in but when we got going we showed some good stuff.”