Dickson says Saints have to ‘respond well’ to Leinster mauling

The Kiwi utility back had only played four times for Northampton prior to Saturday’s 40-7 defeat to Leinster, and they had all resulted in victories.

He has also been part of the Wanderers success story this season, which has seen Saints’ shadow squad advance to Monday’s Aviva A League final.

So last weekend’s Franklin’s Gardens woe was a new experience, and Dickson, a summer recruit from Otago, admits it has been a tough few days.

But the 27-year-old, who came off the bench during the second half of the defeat, is now ready and raring to go for the return date in Dublin on Saturday evening.

“Things have been great since I’ve been here,” said Dickson.

“We’ve been winning all the time, which obviously helps massively.

“Saturday was sort of the first time we tripped up a wee bit but we’ve got to get back up and respond well.

“It was a wee bit dull at the start of the week. Sunday everyone was feeling it, Monday we were a bit flat but after we had our team meeting we all decided there’s only one way to go and that’s the be positive and give this week a really good crack.”

Dickson may not have been part of many big defeats during his time in Northampton, but he says he suffered a few during his time back home.

And that has clearly steeled him to keep his head up and go again this weekend.

“I’ve had a few big losses,” said Dunedin-born Dickson, who could be given a starting chance at full-back this weekend.

“It’s hard going from a really good win to a really big loss.

“I’ve had that experience and it’s not nice. You’re on top of the world one minute and then feeling rubbish the next minute.

“That’s just rugby, it’s the way it is.

“You find that throughout your career but you’ve just got to keep going.

“The good thing about rugby is that we’ve got another game this weekend.

“All you can really do is look forward to the game and push on.”