Northampton Saints centre Rory Hutchinson says he’s “enjoying being back” in the squad as he looks to continue his fine form in Saturday’s East Midlands derby with Leicester Tigers.

The 28-year-old has featured in all three of Saints’ Premiership games this season and has been named in the line-up for the trip to Welford Road this weekend.

Having lost his place in the side last season due to a back injury, the academy graduate is revelling in his time back in the spotlight.

“I’m just enjoying being back – it makes you realise how much you miss it,” Hutchinson told the Saints Show podcast.

“The combinations we’ve got, the back lines especially, we enjoy playing with each other.”

Hutchinson was sidelined following Northampton’s defeat by Bristol Bears in March and did not return until May when the team were thumped by Bath.

Hutchinson says he was not expecting to find his place ready and waiting for him when he returned.

“When I came back fit, the team were going so well – it was out of my control,” he said.

“The team were on a roll and when you get to that point of the season and it gets to knockout and whatnot, not many changes are going to happen so I wasn’t surprised.”

Saints went on to lift the Premiership trophy and while Hutchinson feels he played his part in the games he featured in, there is still a lingering disappointment that he did not get to be part of the big finale.

“It’s not quite the same when you’re not in the kit and when you’re not playing,” he added.

“We just got our medals the other day and when the boys lifted up the trophy, you’re like ‘I wish I was there’.”

The back injury was a set-back for the Cambridge-born athlete, but Hutchinson’s forward thinking attitude helped him regain his place and find his form as Northampton aim to retain their title this season.

“Throughout my whole career, the thing I always go back to is that you can’t dwell on bad news,” he said.

“There’s not much you can do, you just need to move onto the next thing.”

Rather than seeing his fight for his place in the team as a negative, Hutchinson believes it is an asset for the squad to have such high competition for time on the field come match day.

“We love everyone being competitive, that’s why we get the best out of each other because we have got good depth in each position and we push each other every day,” he said.

The derby with Leicester Tigers holds some good memories for Hutchinson, having made his 100th appearance for Saints while playing their East Midlands rivals.

As one of the more senior members of the squad, the Scotland international is feeling calm before the game.

“Playing at Welford Road is always a tense fixture,” he said.

“The atmosphere will be electric and for us, it’s about getting the fundamentals right.”