Sarries director of rugby Brendan Venter was pleased with his side's intensity after they rounded off their pre-season campaign by thrashing Nottingham 55-7.

The Guinness Premiership side made it six wins from six after outclassing the Championship side at Vicarage Road on Tuesday night in an eight-try romp. The Men in Black looked in good form as they prepare for their first league match on Saturday, September 5 at Twickenham against London Irish.

Venter said: "I was very happy with the first-half performance but I'm equally happy with the second-half performance, mainly because we kept our intensity both on attack and defence.

"We weren't as clinical in the second half as we were in the first half but the individuals played another game together.

"The same team that played against Agen played in the first half and had another game under their belt whereas the other team [second half] hadn't played together.

"I think our intensity in defence pleased me most and the way we chased the ball down when it was kicked," Venter continued. "It was just a group of 15 players on the field that wanted to play rugby and with a squad like that we can achieve things. There was some beautiful rugby played and Nottingham tried to play some as well."

Venter felt it was a useful exercise and was happy the squad got an opportunity to play at Vicarage Road because their next match at the ground is not until the end of September.

The South African said: "I think it was a fantastic idea from the management that we actually played a game here. It was very important for the players to have a full matchday preparation."

The former Exiles coach was also relieved the bulk of his squad came through a busy set of games largely unscathed.

Venter added: "Now we will take our foot off the gas a little bit, the players will have the weekend off and we'll prepare so we're fresh for London Irish.

"I think we're very lucky. We took a risk by playing six matches and we lost Matias Aguero before the season started. But Rhys Gill has been a revelation for us and we're very lucky there.

"Michael Owen has made a great recovery, it's fantastic to have him back but unfortunately Tom Mercey pulled a calf muscle and he'll be out three weeks.

"Rodd Penney hurt a ligament in his knee, he'll be four to six weeks. And Ethienne Reynecke, the other hooker, hurt his groin quite badly and he'll be six to eight weeks.

"Those are our only real injury worries after six matches so we are very happy with that.

"We are very excited to have Kevin Sorrell coming back, especially with Rodd picking up an injury.

It looks like we will have him within the next three to four weeks."