Wood relieved as Saints finally deliver on the big occasion

The flanker had been frustrated by his team’s failure to show what they were made of in previous games against Leicester and in other titanic tussles.

But his last-gasp try ensured they would end a run of 10 winless matches against their local rivals to book a place in the May 31 Aviva Premiership final.

Wood believes it was a massive moment for his team and admitted his relief that they had given their supporters something to shout about.

“It’s pretty big,” said the England star. “You saw what it meant to the fans. The atmosphere was a couple of levels to what I’ve felt at the Gardens.

“It’s about us giving them something to cheer about and that just snowballs. In the last 10 minutes, it’s them that keeps us going and pushes us around the field.

“It’s really significant in the town and it’s significant to us. We’ve always known we’ve had it in us, but, for some reason, on big days we’ve stalled.

“We’ve given ourselves a mountain to climb in the past and failed to finish the job. It’s hugely frustrating to know you’ve got it in the tank and not deliver on the big days.

“I’m just so glad we stuck it out on Friday and got the result.”