Dowson hails Hutchinson after Saints centre is handed Scotland recall
Phil Dowson is happy to see Rory Hutchinson's strong start to the season recognised by Scotland.
Hutchinson and Saints team-mate Elliot Millar Mills have been named in the Scotland squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.
And it is deserved reward for the centre, who was named player of the month at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens for September.
He will now be eager to steer Saints past Bristol Bears on Friday before trying to add to his seven Scotland caps.
Gregor Townsend's side face Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia during November.
And Saints boss Dowson said: "It's really good recognition of how well he's played at the start of this season.
"We all know he's one of the best in the league in terms of seeing space, moving the ball, having time on the ball and, more importantly, giving other people time on the ball, putting Freemo (Tommy Freeman) into space and all those things he does.
"But what's been really obvious and noticeable from my point of view and has been recognised by Scotland is how physical he's been, how he's settled into this defensive system with (Saints defence coach) Lee Radford, the impact Lee's had on him, how tough he's been in defence, how well he's done at the breakdown.
"All the elements of his game are firing and I hope he gets rewarded with caps and an opportunity to show it on the international stage."