George Hendy wants to prove that Northampton Saints are still the ‘team to beat’ in the Gallagher PREM when they renew their domestic campaign away at Exeter Chiefs this weekend.
After 12 rounds of action, the men in Black, Green and Gold sit top of the league and have no shortage of motivating factors heading into Saturday’s trip to Sandy Park (kick-off: 3.05pm).
Hendy started the corresponding fixture in Round 1 at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, when the hosts built a strong lead before their visitors from Devon fought back to claim a 33-33 draw.
The 23-year-old was also in the run-out side for the PREM Rugby Cup semi-final at Sandy Park last month, which saw Saints miss out on the final – and Hendy also suffer a knee injury that ruled him out until last week’s 43-41 loss to Bath in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final.
“I feel like we do owe them [Exeter] one,” said Hendy. “Not just from that first game in the PREM, but the PREM Cup semi-final.
“We’ve got a lot of fire in us as well from last weekend, so we are really looking forward to going down to Exeter on Saturday and putting in a performance that shows the league that we are still the team to beat.”
Friday night’s reverse at The Rec was a bittersweet experience for Hendy. After sitting out the victories over Newcastle Red Bulls, Saracens and Castres, he made his return to action as a second-half substitute.
“It was difficult,” he said. “Especially when it felt like we had done enough to win that game. I think that is what stings the most.
“If it is a scoreline like 40-20 to Bath, there are a lot more questions asked. Actually, with it being so close – and how well we started – there’s definitely enough in that performance for us to turn around and say we could’ve won, and should’ve won.
“On a personal note, it was really nice to be back out there doing what you love doing. Having full confidence back in my knee again, running around and trying to get some wins in again.
“There’s only so much training, running and rehab you can do, but nothing is the same as a game. There are all the unknowns that happen – that is why we love it.
“It was in the back of my mind a little bit on Friday night, but afterwards that was a big personal positive for me; that I had full confidence, and it wasn’t prohibiting me in any way from doing what I do and trying my best.”
Hendy has already landed a career-best ten tries so far this season from 19 games, and received a nomination for Investec Champions Cup Player of the Season after scoring four tries in the pool stage.
The versatile winger/fullback is also just two games away from matching his most appearances in a campaign for Saints (21), despite battling back from the nasty knock he took to his knee in the last head-to-head with Exeter.
“That’s part of the game,” he said. “As my dad would say, at times it is a rubbish sport – and I think all you’ve got to do in those situations is try and stay positive in the best way that you can. Whether that is taking your mind away from it, or whether you really focus on it and fixate on those kinds of things.
“For me, as long as I am diligent with everything I have to do, I will get back as soon as possible. That last month has been an example of that – being quite focused on my recovery, my rehab and all the little things I can do to try and get back for the run-in.
“Those games on Friday night are the ones you want to be involved in. Regardless of the result or the occasion, they’re the games you dream of playing in when you are younger.”