The last time Saints played Leicester was on the first day of the league season at Welford Road, when the visitors came away 32-0 losers.
Saints’ fly-half Carlos Spencer said: “We have got to believe we have got a chance! There is no use turning up if we are just going to look back to the result three months ago. We have got an opportunity – it’s another day, another chance.”
The men in black, green and gold will arrive at Leicester on the back of a November losing streak in which Saints picked up three losing bonus points.
Spencer added: “The talent is here; we have shown it. It is just the little things that are letting us down. I have no doubt the potential is in this side and I have got all the confidence in the world that this side can bounce back.”
Most of Saints’ losses have been narrow, including last weekend’s one-point defeat to Worcester, which could have been converted to a win had captain Bruce Reihana managed to slot home a late penalty.
Reihana, though, is happy to continue as the club’s goal-kicker and to shoulder the pressure that goes with it.
He said: “I am more than happy to carry on kicking. I will get out there on Saturday and give it my best.”
Reihana also said the spirit was positive in the camp looking ahead to Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 2.30pm and is being shown live on BBC Grandstand.
“The spirits are very high. It’s not like we have not being playing good rugby. We are very excited about this game. Everyone has been working very hard. It’s a one-off this weekend – if we win it, we go through.”
The prize for Saints, if they win Saturday’s game, would be a place in the semi-final double header at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on March 4. Two bonus points would also guarantee Saints’ passage into the semi-final stage.
Northampton Saints
15 BRUCE REIHANA (capt)
14 SEAN LAMONT
13 Jon Clarke
12 Rhodri Davies
11 BEN COHEN
10 CARLOS SPENCER
9 MARK ROBINSON
1 Chris Budgen
2 STEVE THOMPSON
3 Pat Barnard
4 Damien Browne
5 Matt Lord
6 Ben Lewitt
7 SAM HARDING
8 Daniel Browne
16 Dylan Hartley
17 Colin Noon
18 DAVID GERARD
19 Darren Fox
20 Johnny Howard
21 Luke Myring
22 John Rudd | 
