"My girlfriend Caroline had to have a Caesarian, but she's doing okay and hopefully she'll be out shortly. We've called the baby Freddie, and everything has gone well so we're both really happy."

Understandably a chaotic time in the Morris household has ensued, but a delighted dad said: "I've been coming and going a bit this week with all that's been going on.

"The club has been really good about it. I trained yesterday and I'll be in for the team run on Friday before we travel down to Northampton the day after. It's just one of those things you have to deal with, and we're very lucky to have so many people supporting us with family and friends coming up to help out."

Looking to matters on the pitch Morris expects a tough encounter against the Saints, who were beaten by Newcastle in the early stages of last season.

"Northampton have been pretty settled over the summer and they look like they've got a good team at the moment," said the Churchill Cup tourist.

"The stadium is finished now and it will be packed on Sunday with lots of flags and the rest of it, so we're all looking forward to a great atmosphere down there.

"Our pre-season has gone very well, and the training we've done has all been worthwhile, so hopefully it will all go towards what would be a good away win to start the season with."

With the departure of director of rugby Rob Andrew recently confirmed, it is with a new man in charge that the Falcons make the trip to Franklin's Gardens, with Morris stating: "There has been very little impact on the players really.

"The lads are all happy with John Fletcher in charge, and we think he can get the best out of us as the season goes on.

"Training has been extremely sharp, I think he has concentrated people's minds a bit more and the focus in our preparation has been more intense. Everyone realises the potential in this squad, but that's a word we're sick of hearing so the whole thing is geared towards stepping up and actually achieving."

With a whole host of young English front rowers in the ranks, Morris said: "Speaking personally from a front row perspective there's a hell of a lot of competition this season, which is driving everyone on.

"We're particularly strong at prop with Davey Wilson now back firing on all cylinders, Micky Ward, myself, Johnny Williams and now Jon Golding as well. All of us have played Premiership rugby, and there's tremendous competition to just get in the 22 come the weekend.

"Touring with England Saxons was nice, but the club game is where all my focus is. The aim every week is to get in the team and build on that, and I'm not interested in anything else. I just want to improve week by week, and if I can do that then everyone wins."