It is the first time that the 2009/10 table toppers and runners-up will have gone head to head in Round One since 2005. And with East Midlands pride at stake as well as precious Aviva Premiership Rugby league points, Mallinder says that it will be a massive occasion.

Sundays game is something that everyone at the club has looked forward to all summer, he said. The players have worked hard to try and secure a place in the 23-man squad and there have been a lot of hard decisions that the coaching staff have made in terms of selection for the team.

They all deserve their place. But now they have to work hard to stay there in what is a massive game for us. Leicester were deserved champions last season. They are the club that has set the benchmark for the rest of the league and we respect their achievements.

But we have ambitions for a good season as well. And we have been fully focused all week on achieving a positive result on Sunday. That is all that matters for now as we continue to take everything one game at a time.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM:

15 Ben Foden
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 James Downey
11 Bruce Reihana
10 Stephen Myler
9 Lee Dickson

1 Soane Tongauiha
2 Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 Brian Mujati
4 Courtney Lawes
5 Christian Day
6 Phil Dowson
7 Tom Wood
8 Roger Wilson

Replacements
16 Brett Sharman
17 Regardt Dreyer
18 Tom Mercey
19 Calum Clark
20 Mark Easter
21 Ryan Powell
22 Shane Geraghty
23 Joe Ansbro