Saracens came mightily close to a whole host of silverware last season before ending up empty-handed and Nils Mordt is desperate to put that right as soon as possible- starting with the J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby Sevens.

Mark McCall’s side topped the table in the Aviva Premiership but came unstuck against Northampton Saints in the play-off semi-finals, their first-ever defeat at the new home of Allianz Park.

They also made their first-ever Heineken Cup semi-final but lost out to a Jonny Wilkinson-inspired Toulon side at Twickenham.

Add that to defeats in the semi-finals of the LV= Cup and the Aviva A-League final and Sarries’ season starts to look like a long series of ‘close but no cigar’ moments.

But for the 29-year-old Mordt, who will captain Sarries' Sevens team, last season was by no means a disappointment and they will be looking to back up their strong showing at the start of the new campaign.

"There were a lot of positives to take from last season," he said.

"We came very close in every competition and the squad rotation that we have at the club meant that everyone was fit and firing in the big games.

"Tiredness was not an issue, we just came up that little bit short, those two or three extra percent you need to win the big games were not there.

"But having said that, against both Toulon and Northampton we had our chances to win the game and could not take them.

"We need to be that little bit more ruthless and believe me if we make it back to those big games next season we will have learned from what went wrong.

"We’re not a team that is constantly thinking about silverware, we’re focused on starting the season well first and foremost but of course that is what you play the game for and we want to get our hands on trophies."

Mordt himself is a seasoned Sevens campaigner having captained Saracens to the Melrose Sevens title and also having competed internationally for England in the shorter format.

Saracens won the JP Morgan title that raises the curtain on the new season back in 2010 and also finished as runners-up in 2011.

And Mordt and co host Pool 3 of the tournament at Allianz Park this summer where they will face holders London Irish, Harlequins and London Wasps on Saturday August 3 with the top two sides progressing to finals day at the Rec in Bath.

Last year Mordt was involved as the London club failed to make it out of the group stages, a result that the versatile former Harlequin is keen to make up for this time around.

"The J.P Sevens is a fantastic opportunity for some of the younger guys to put their hands up for selection straight away at the start of the new season," he added.

"It’s a competition that we have done well in the past and with it being at home that will be great for the fans, and the surface will make for good games regardless of the weather.

"And we will want to hit the ground running to take some momentum into the start of the season."

The third leg of J.P Morgan Premiership Rugby Sevens will be at Allianz Park, the home of Saracens, on Saturday 3 August. For tickets and more information visit: www.jpmorgan7s.com or follow @jpmorganrugby7s