Dowson urges Saints to right their wrongs

Phil Dowson admits Saints were given a ‘big lesson’ by Leicester Tigers on Saturday and says his side must move on quickly from their derby-day defeat.
DETERMINED - Phil Dowson (picture by Linda Dawson)DETERMINED - Phil Dowson (picture by Linda Dawson)
DETERMINED - Phil Dowson (picture by Linda Dawson)

Northampton remain fourth in the Premiership standings following last weekend’s 36-8 humiliation at the hands of their local rivals.

But with fifth-placed Gloucester now level on points with Jim Mallinder’s men, there is no room for error in the final three games.

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And Dowson knows nothing can be taken for granted, especially in the imminent clashes with relegation-threatened London Welsh and Sale Sharks.

“It’s a bit of a rollercoaster and Saturday was a big down, to lose to local rivals so heavily and get really hammered at home. It’s a big lesson.

“We know the fans are really disappointed. We were on a decent run but we’ve been brought down to earth with a bump and we need to get back up, dust ourselves down and move on for the final three games.”

Saints have this weekend off as they were knocked out of Europe in the Heineken Cup pool stages.

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But Dowson and Co won’t be sitting back and relaxing, as they look to get back on the horse ahead of their game at London Welsh on April 14.

“I think this week we can put right what was wrong last weekend and then hopefully move on and have a big crack at the London Welsh game,” he said.

“London Welsh and Sale are dangerous because they need to win and they will try things so we need to make sure we prepare accordingly.”