Saints Q&A: Tom Vickers talks to super-sub George Hendy

After all, it was his dazzling run that set up Alex Mitchell for what proved to be the match-winning try in the Gallagher PREM final back in 2024.

And Hendy was at it again last Saturday, coming on for the final 16 minutes and delivering two stunning moments to help Saints overturn a 12-point deficit against Saracens.

Hendy set up Rory Hutchinson before bagging a score of his own as the black, green and gold produced an incredible final six minutes.

James Pater put the icing on the cake with the conversion that sealed a thrilling 35-33 PREM Rugby Cup pool-stage win at a jubilant cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

And now Hendy and Co can look forward to travelling to Exeter Chiefs in the semi-finals on Sunday (kick-off 1.30pm).

On Wednesday afternoon, Hendy spoke to this publication about last weekend's heroics and looked forward to what lies ahead at Sandy Park.

The full question and answer session is here…

Q: George, an incredible 16-minute cameo for you last weekend. How much did you enjoy it?

A: "It was good fun actually!

"It didn't go quite to plan from the start because we went 12 points down pretty soon after I came on but it was just about talking and knowing we could still go out and win this game.

"We knew we'd done a lot of good things in the game that hadn't stuck, we'd created a lot of chances and I said we'll create enough chances to win this game, even in the last 10 minutes, and it was good fun doing it."

Q: After the game, James Pater was speaking about how you had rallied the troops in the huddle after Saints went 12 points down. Can you just talk a bit about that?

A: "I guess we've got a lot of different types of leaders in the squad and we're all trying to work to be better at leadership.

"We're pretty good at delivering technical and tactical messages but occasionally it's stepping into the shoes of 'can you be an emotional leader and deliver the emotional messages that may not be your character 90 per cent of the time?'.

"It just felt like it was right for me at the time, and we got the job done off the back of it."

Q: Is leadership something you're working on more these days?

A: "We have leadership meetings with some of the key people who will be on the pitch and lads who are trying to push and become leaders on the pitch as well.

"The more people we have doing that, the easier it gets.

"It's definitely something I'm trying to work on."

Q: You clearly led by your actions as well as your words last weekend. What were you thinking in those moments in the build-up to the two late tries?

A: "You just kind of see a gap, it's what you're trained to do so you just kind of pin your ears back and see where you end up.

"Hutch (Rory Hutchinson) got that first one and then I was lucky enough to go the distance for the second."

Q: It must be a pretty special feeling doing that. Can you tell a normal human being what it's like?

A: "Yeah, it is. Nothing compares, genuinely, nothing I've ever experienced. I hadn't heard the noise at Franklin's Gardens like that for a while.

"Recently in the PREM and in Europe, we've had some good wins at home but coming from behind and coming back to win in the last play of the game against Saracens is pretty special.

"I just remember looking up at the cinch Stand and seeing everyone going mental and it was a pretty cool feeling."

Q: It's a pretty good part of the ground to score in. There have been a few big tries in that area of the field?

A: "My favourite would be Tom Lockett's against Toulon in the other corner.

"Every time you get to score is a pretty special occasion and you've got all your best mates around you celebrating it with you.

"It was pretty cool and then James Pater goes and does that (kicks the conversion) to win the game and you can't complain!"

Q: What is it like having sold-out PREM Rugby Cup games at the Gardens these days?

A: "It’s credit to the squad we've got this year.

"A lot of the time the PREM Cup can be that opportunity for lads coming back from injury and young lads to put on a Saints shirt for the first time and put their foot down.

"You see Jack (Lewis) doing it, Charlie Ulcoq as well, stepping up, but then we've also got a good mixture of lads who want to play every week and who play week in, week out.

"JJ van der Mescht wants to play every week and that combination of young lads and lads who have done it all before makes it a special group, and people keep wanting to come and watch."

Q: How different is the mindset when you're on the bench rather than starting as was the case last weekend?

A: "I find it very different.

"I feel way more relaxed and I'm at my best when I am relaxed, when I'm having a laugh and a bit jokey at times.

"When you're starting, you feel the pressure because you're standing out there waiting for the ref to blow the whistle and you're trying to soak it all in.

"When you're on the bench, you've got time to adjust, the noise doesn't affect you as much because you're part of it rather than having to do your job just yet.

"Then when you come on, it's about how much energy you can bring.

"Luke Green said it earlier today, that coming on with five other lads when we brought on our replacements, it just gives such energy to the rest of the group, and that's what I try to do when I'm on the bench.

"It's pretty relaxed until it's go-time."

Q: How excited are you about the semi-final at Exeter on Sunday?

A: "It's very exciting.

"Exeter have been strong in this competition as well so we know it's going to be tough but we're also aware that this is one of the three pieces of silverware we can win this year so we are going for it.

"You can never win enough silverware as a player at any level so we are really gunning for it and we want to bring it back in two weeks' time."

Q: How much confidence has been built in this Saints group?

A: "It's credit to the lads who when they don't get the opportunity at the weekend that they're working so hard in training and the non-23 sessions.

"They're just waiting for the opportunity to go and when it is their chance, as someone who has been in their shoes, you're just telling them to let loose and go and be themselves because that's when everyone is at their best.

"Everyone is here for a reason, we know how good they can be and if you let go of that pressure for them, they can go out and enjoy the moment.

"We've seen bits of that."