Northampton winger Ben Cohen has challenged his team-mates to realise their potential by developing into a great team.
The Heineken Cup graced the Franklin’s Gardens trophy cabinet in 2000 but since that memorable triumph it has been lean pickings for Saints.
They have reached two successive Powergen Cup finals but lost both and were dumped out of the Zurich Premiership reckoning last season with a hefty defeat in the grand final play-off against Wasps.
Cohen said: “Third place was a fair reflection of our strength last year. This season we want to get rid of our ‘nearly’ tag.
“We’ve always been close to winning things, except in 2000 when we won the Heineken Cup. We’re a good side but we need to be a great side. I believe we have the players to do that.”