Dowson expects Saints' cup opponents Harlequins to have 'renewed vigour'

​Quins largely struggled last season, finishing ninth, one place off the bottom, in the Gallagher PREM.

But they have made significant changes to their coaching staff and playing squad this summer, including signing Saints skipper George Furbank.

Quins got their campaign off to a winning start last weekend as they defeated Leicester Tigers 45-21 in a PREM Rugby Cup clash at the Stoop.

Saints had a tougher opening encounter as they shipped 77 second-half points in a 96-42 loss at Saracens.

And Dowson’s men will now be eager to bounce back when they travel to take on Quins in a clash that will be shown live on TNT Sports this Saturday.

However, the Saints boss knows a tough test will lie in wait as Quins look to maintain their early momentum ahead of what they will hope is a bounce-back campaign.

"Quins traditionally will play and they can be exceptional at it,” Dowson said.

“Watching the Leicester game, you see the ability to move the ball, either through kick or pass, the audacity to play from anywhere.

“They're very, very good in the defensive breakdown and we know that from last season's PREM experience.

“They will have a renewed vigour around where they want to be as a club.

"A bit like Gloucester and Sale, they're looking to change the narrative and push back up the table where they think they should be.”

With Furbank now at Quins, Courtney Lawes having joined Sale and Elliot Millar Mills and Sam Graham among Newcastle’s signings this summer, Saints will have to get used to facing former key players this season.

And they will hope they don’t all fare as well against them as Tom James did last week, with the scrum-half pulling the strings for Saracens after coming off the bench at half-time.

James left Saints when his contract expired during the summer and made the move to StoneX Stadium.

And though he would have rather seen the former black, green and gold ace have a quiet debut, Dowson admits he is pleased to see his ex-charge settling in so well at Saracens.

"I've got a lot of time for Tom James, not just as a player but as a person,” the Saints boss said.

“A very small part of me was really pleased for how well he played (last weekend).

“He said he's really settled in well there and he's really enjoying the environment and hopefully he continues to do that.”