The big interview: Tom Vickers talks to Saints scrum-half Jonny Weimann

The 20-year-old scrum-half, who came off the bench after just 21 minutes to help steer Saints to a crucial Gallagher PREM home win against Gloucester last Saturday, is now primed to skipper the black, green and gold for the first time.

Weimann will lead Saints out in their PREM Rugby Cup home game against local rivals Leicester Tigers at DPD Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

It will be a special occasion for the Academy product, who can take huge confidence into it, given what he produced against Gloucester last weekend.

Weimann replaced injured England star Alex Mitchell midway through the first half and eventually Saints bounced back from a 14-0 deficit, scoring 28 unanswered points, including 14 without reply in the second period, to pick up a vital bonus-point success on home soil.

"It was very enjoyable," said Weimann, speaking to the media at Tuesday's pre-match press conference.

"Obviously it was a pretty high-stake game with the top of the table coming to our home.

"I got a bit longer than I was expecting, sort of thrown into the deep end, but it was very enjoyable.

"I'm not sure I've heard the stadium as loud as that so it was very good."

Weimann wasn't due to be in the Saints matchday squad as he was supposed to be playing on dual-registration for Bedford Blues in their Champ Rugby game at home to Hartpury University last Saturday.

But an injury to Archie McParland opened the door, and the rest, as they say, is history.

"At the start of the week I was actually meant to be at Bedford, but obviously Archie pulled out with his calf from England camp and then it was Tuesday after training that I was told I would be on the bench," Weimann explained.

So how did he stay so cool in the pressure cooker of a big PREM battle?

"I sort of go through the week training how I want to play so when it comes to the game, you don't have to think about it as much, it's sort of second nature," Weimann said.

"The fact I got put on so early and unexpectedly meant that I didn't have time to think.

"I was just in the moment straight away, which kind of helped.

"Also, playing at Bedford definitely helps. It's always going to be the same as a nine - your passing, your kicking, the same skillset - and Bedford play a brand of rugby that coincides with the way Saints want to play.

"It's definitely me helped being at Bedford.

"It's another game of rugby at the end of the day, but it's going to be faster and more physical (than in Champ Rugby) so I guess I have to be a bit more mentally switched on and be more wary of better defences as well.

"I try to just be in the moment, think about every job as it comes and not think about the outcome as much, just stick to the process and then the outcomes will look after themselves.

"In that first 20-odd minutes (against Gloucester), we were camped in our own half quite a lot so we knew if we could just get out of our own half and spend some time up at their end we'd be in a good spot. We managed to do that.

"It was definitely another pace last Saturday. I was waiting for my second wind to come in and it didn't really so I was definitely blowing through bits of the game."

Weimann and his fellow young guns are given full backing by the Saints coaches.

And he said: "There's a good emphasis that if you're good enough, you're old enough so there's a bit emphasis on that.

"It gives us young guys lots of faith to go out there and do what we do."

Weimann doesn't have to look far for inspiration as Alex Mitchell and Archie McParland also emerged from the Saints Academy and are now in the England reckoning when available.

"Mitchell has been playing for England for quite a few years now and with the year Archie had last season, it's definitely given me inspiration," Weimann said.

"They are two really good guys to learn from because they both play the game in a similar way but they have their own take on things so it's good learning from them every day.

"I normally just learn by watching but they are very approachable and if you have any questions you're happy to go up to them."

Weimann is now focusing on his next big task, which will come as captain on Friday night.

"I was a bit shocked on Monday morning when Dows (Saints boss Phil Dowson) told me (about being captain)," said Weimann, who now has 21 Saints appearances to his name.

"I haven't captained the side before but it's definitely an honour, a proud moment for me and my family.

"I'm really looking forward to leading the boys out.

"I've captained the Bedford School side a few times but I haven't done it since turning professional."

Having come through the Saints Academy, Weimann needs no reminding how important games against Leicester are.

"It's going to be a different competition, a different team from both sides but it's the same two clubs," he said.

"We know it's a derby day, it's going to be a bit feisty so the boys are definitely going to be up for it.

"It's really special.

"There are people who haven't played for Saints that many times or people who haven't played at all so they have their own motivation and their own point to prove so hopefully they can bring their own energy on Friday."