Stephen Myler says that Northampton Saints' summer rugby recruits have already shown that they are up for the fight at Franklin's Gardens this coming Premiership season.

Myler will be in a selection battle with former London Irish star Ryan Lamb for the Northampton number 10 shirt has been impressed with the new faces his team's set up.

Northampton have signed the likes of Lamb, Tom May and Noah Cato who will all add further depth to Jim Mallinder's Heineken Cup squad which is crucial with the world cup coming in September.

Northampton Saints could provide as much as a third of the England squad for the Rugby World Cup which will leave a big hole in the squad but also provide opportunities for the new signings and the youngsters in the Saints squad.

After seeing some of the Saints new signings in pre-season training Myler believes that his new team-mates are ready to fight tooth and nail for a starting place at Franklin's Gardens.

"We've got a few new lads in this year, which will hopefully add to the strength of our squad, which is important," said Myler in the Northampton Evening Chronicle.

"They've fitted in well so far. The main thing is they are knuckling down, working hard and giving everything, which the conditioning team and the coaches expect from us. It seems to be going well so far."

Myler's selection battle last season was with Shane Geraghty for the fly-half spot but he came out as the winner and now he must do the same again with Lamb.

"He's a chirpy little character as everybody knows and he's thoroughly enjoying pre-season as the rest of the lads that have come in are doing," said Myler of his 25-year-old rival.

"He's working hard as we're all doing."