“It gave me extra motivation. To be a leader, you have to be at the top of your game so that other boys can follow. I have to be at the top of my game so that I can speak and bring out the best in other boys.
“I’ve never really thought about how I would be a captain. I’ll just try to adapt to the situation and learn from each game. I had some experience last season and have a reasonable idea of what to expect. Hopefully I won’t change in any way.”
Being a full-back and captaining the team can be a challenge in itself, as he is not part of the team’s engine room.
“It was quite convenient last year to have Courts (Courtney Lawes) on the team. I just said to the referee, ‘Can I speak to Courts?’ and he would relay the message to the team,” the 27-year-old said.
“I think Kolesi (Alex Coles) should take on that role this year. I’ll tell the judges in advance and I’ll tell them I won’t be there for small messages, but if it’s a big message, I’ll go and say it myself.”
Saints are hoping to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since Saracens in 2018 and 2019, while also hoping to improve on their performance in the European Champions Cup semi-finals last season.
“This year is a slightly different squad. We’ve lost some big players but we’ve also brought in some great young talent,” said Firbank, who did not play in Northampton’s 54-26 home defeat to Leinster on Saturday.
“There will be different drivers for different members of the team. For the core group from last year, there is motivation that we will be the only Saints team to win back-to-back championships. That is a big motivation.
“We have players coming in who have won titles and those who haven’t, so that’s their motivation. It’s important to pull them in the same direction.”
He will also be hoping to gain more caps for England after scoring twice in last season’s Six Nations Championship.
He added: “It was the first time I felt I deserved to go to England based on my performances in the Premier League and it made me feel more comfortable and confident in the environment.”
“When I came in before, my game wasn’t going the way I wanted it to. And if you have doubts going into an international match, you’re screwed.
“Similar groups from the Six Nations to the summer tour have also helped you build those relationships and friendships. The England squad is a good time to be here.”
