Ludlam so proud of how Saints have turned the tide

The black, green and gold were on a 12-match losing streak going into their Boxing Day battle with Worcester Warriors at Franklin's Gardens.

But after winning that game, Saints are now enjoying a three-match winning run.

They have recently claimed wins at Gloucester and Wasps, and they now travel to Exeter Chiefs on Saturday with confidence continuing to grow.

So just how have Saints managed to turn the tide?

"It's a combination of everything," Ludlam said.

"We've worked really hard on our defensive side of the game and that's been prominent in the past couple of matches to help us see them out.

"There's been a definite shift and improvement, and that mental side is something we're actively talking about.

"Boydy always said that when that win came it would be a snowball effect and we've seen that.

"Confidence goes a long way in a team to close out a game and you can't really explain it.

"It seems like when you're a winning team those 50/50s seem to go your way.

"I'm really proud of where this side has got to in the past few weeks to dig ourselves out of that losing streak we were on and we're looking forward to keeping it going and making sure we improve week in, week out as a team."

Ludlam played a huge role in the win at Wasps, securing the last-gasp penalty that sealed a 22-17 success.

It was a nervy finale at the Ricoh Arena as Ahsee Tuala kept the ball in play despite the clock having hit 80.

And Ludlam said: "He (Tuala) said he owed me a few after but I probably owe him a few game-savers from the past so we're pretty much evens now.

"The moment at the end of the game wasn't the only moment we got wrong and if we're being really honest with ourselves, being that far ahead at half-time (Saints were 22-0 up), you would have hoped we'd be better in the second half to close that game out earlier.

"It was frustrating but in a way it just shows where this team has come on in the last year or so.

"A year ago, we may not have had the composure to stay in the fight and to see where we're at mentally as a team to come through after a poor second-half performance was one of the positives we could really take out of the second half."