Saints Q&A: Tom Vickers talks to talented back George Hendy

However, 80 minutes later, they were left with a far bigger battle on their hands after seeing third-placed Tigers cut the gap in the league standings from 10 points to just five.

The 41-17 defeat at Mattioli Woods Welford Road saw Saints fail to showcase much of what has taken them to the top of the table.

And they now head home on Friday night knowing they need a big performance and a victory against a Bristol Bears side with play-off aspirations of their own.

George Hendy was one of the two players on media duty this week – along with Manny Iyogun – discussing what happened at Leicester, facing Bristol and a variety of other topics.

Here is the question and answer session with the talented Saints back…

Q: What's the mood like after defeat at Leicester?

A: "Obviously disappointing – it’s hard not to be – and especially with what was potentially on the line for us, if results went our way, to guarantee a top-two spot. I think we just weren’t quite where we wanted to be from a performance point of view. We spoke immediately after the game and had a big debrief on Monday about how actually we did do some good stuff but a lot of stuff still isn’t where we want it to be and where we need it to be. We want to set a standard to the rest of the league and show why we’re a team that’s still top of the table. This week, we’re going back to what we know we can do but also I think we’re going to bring a bit of physicality that might have been missing on derby day.”

Q: How much do you need a big performance this week?

A: "We’ve had some good wins obviously, and a couple of close wins, like Exeter and Bath. Obviously, it’s quite an emotional take after the weekend, so we’re really looking forward to setting it straight on Friday night."

Q: Has the margin for error narrowed after last week?

A: "Of course it has. We know we’ve got three games left and if we get these next two games right, we’ll pretty much be there. We know that these next two games are massive and finishing in the top two is huge, in terms of our chances of lifting the trophy at the end of the season."

Q: What are your thoughts on Bristol?

A: "They’re going well, we know they like to throw the ball about and we know they’ll be trying to play their brand of rugby, because that’s what gives them the best opportunity. We’re seeing a lot of excitement in that and for a team that prides themselves on their attack, this week we want to make a statement with our defence, and how ruthless we can be."

Q: Recent results against Bristol have been interesting, haven't they, as you've had some tough times away and some better ones at home?

A: "We always seem to talk about how good they are in attack and never really about how good we can be in defence, so that’s been the main focus this week. They’re allowed to do good stuff, and so will we, but it’s about how physical we can actually be to push them back and make them kick us the ball."

Q: You've switched between wing and full-back in recent weeks. How has that been?

A: "I find it quite seamless now. I think at first it was a bit of a head scratch, but now with (George) Furbank out for a little bit, falling into that full-back role you get comfortable there, and then you go back and get the opportunity to go out on the wing. Personally, I don’t mind where (I play), whatever number I’ve got on the back of my shirt when I’m out on the pitch, I’m pretty happy. I do love playing on the wing – I’ve got that bit of freedom and a bit of licence to do what I want to do and beat people, and stuff – and then it’s a good challenge as well for the defensive stuff I’m working on."

Q: How do you find playing at full-back?

A: "I think you get a lot of natural opportunities to counter-attack, which is what I love doing, and running off with the ball. I know my high-ball stuff still needs to be worked on and I’m doing that every week. If I want to get to that next level in my personal game, that’s where I need to get better."

Q: What was your main position growing up?

A: "Mostly fly-half, maybe at 12 as well. I didn’t really move to full-back until I was about 17 or 18, so it happened quite late for me. Then you pick up things from training in pre-season, at school, but like I said I’m finding the transition pretty seamless now."

Q: With George Furbank leaving this summer, what do you think about playing more at full-back next season?

A: "It’s not something I’ve though too much about. At the moment, we want to finish this season the way we know it can and how it should, and we want to put ourselves in the best possible space for that. I haven’t really thought about how next year is going to go without Furbs there, but I know that there is a big opportunity for myself to step into that (position) and make it my own."

Q: How has George Furbank helped your development?

A: "Just even watching him play when I was younger was massive and then being able to learn directly off him, asking him questions, seeing what he does well, seeing what he maybe doesn’t do as well as I do and being able to bounce off each other a little bit and pick up little things from each other’s game. He’s been a massive help for me to learn the role."

Q: Have you been passing on some advice to James Pater?

A: "Yeah, he’s quite good! He’s a really talented lad and very similar to myself when I was coming through the Academy as well, in terms of what my skill-set was and what my build was like. He’s constantly asking questions as well and I think we can all see the talent he’s got there, so if I can help him out and he does some stuff he’s better than me at, I can then learn from him.”

Q: How much do you feel you've progressed this season?

A: "I feel I’ve progressed quite a lot, not just with on the pitch stuff but off the pitch stuff as well. I’ve found a bit more of my voice this season, which isn’t something I thought I wanted to do or push towards. It just kind of naturally happens when there are international windows and people are going away, but I’d say that’s where my biggest growth has been. I’ve always been able to produce things on the pitch – I felt like I have done over the years – but the leadership kind of stuff has been my biggest growth during the season."