Despite being one of the most experienced heads at Northampton Saints, centre Rory Hutchinson is not ready to call himself a ‘veteran’.
Nobody among Saints’ squad has made more appearances for the Club than the Scotland international, who could take to the field for the 174th time in Black, Green and Gold in Saturday’s clash with Bristol Bears.
It’s not bad going for a player aged 29 and still with plenty of years left at the top level should he stay reasonably free of injury.
Nonetheless, Hutchinson finds himself as one of the senior figures in the changing room, especially after the departure of stalwarts Courtney Lawes and Alex Waller last summer.
Looking at the honours board at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens has brought home his standing at Saints, even if it came as something of a shock earlier in the season.
“I think I’m still 21!” Hutchinson said. “It’s weird because there’s a board up in the changing room with all the caps and the faces of the squad and there’s about 200-odd people between me and the latest (debutant).
“I’m right at the top and when I joined 11 or 12 seasons ago or whatever, I never thought I’d be in that position because it was always Courtney (Lawes) and Alex Waller up there.”
Rory Hutchinson
“I never really thought about it, but it is strange seeing my face up there.”
One of the reasons Hutchinson remains such a key figure for Director of Rugby Phil Dowson is his ability to step into other positions inside or outside of the midfield, should the need arise.
That has mostly meant him playing at fly-half, but it was as Saints’ last line of defence that he was called upon in last Friday’s victory at Newcastle Falcons, with an injury to James Ramm in the build-up meaning a call-up at fullback.
On playing in the No.15 jersey at Kingston Park, Hutchinson said: “I got about a five-hour heads-up but I’m fortunate to have played in that position before and the backline we’ve got makes it a lot easier to help me slot in.
“I just tried to do a job, and we just managed to scrape over the line.”
Quite simply one of the best passes you will ever see.@RoryJHutchinson 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/WgdyCGmcOl
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) October 26, 2024
Hutchinson initially took on kicking duties at Newcastle, converting Craig Wright’s try, before an injury to Charlie Savala meant they were passed over to Fin Smith once he came off the bench to replace him.
Although Saints had to endure a nervy finish in the North East, they were able to come away with a 35-34 victory that put to bed the niggling stat of not winning away from home in the Gallagher Premiership since January of last year.
Hutchinson said: “It wasn’t perfect and it went to the wire, but it’s five points away and Newcastle is a tough place to go, so it was good.
“The last two results we had away was a combined five-point loss, so they were fine margins.
“We’re glad to get back on the right track in terms of away results.
“We defended 20-odd phases at the end and that brings everyone a bit closer, so you make sure you enjoy those results even more.”
Rory Hutchinson
Defeating the Falcons made it three wins in a row in all competitions for Saints, following back-to-back emphatic victories in the knockout stages of the Investec Champions Cup against Clermont Auvergne and Castres.
They have served to put the Derby Day horror show against Leicester Tigers and narrow loss at Sale Sharks behind them, but Hutchinson also believes it has put everyone in the best possible mood for facing Bristol.
He said: “You can tell when you walk around the town the next day and it has such an impact on the town and the fans.
“We want to put a performance on at home for our fans. We love playing here and winning here so we’re looking forward to it.”
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