Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson says his side must back up their stunning 94-point performance against Bristol Bears when they host Gloucester Rugby in Saturday’s sold-out regular-season finale at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
Saints delivered one of the performances of the Gallagher PREM season last time out, thrashing Bristol 94-33 to strengthen their grip on a home Play-Off spot after bouncing back from defeat to Leicester Tigers.
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Now, with another victory potentially securing a home semi-final and an unbeaten home record in league play this season, Dowson said the focus is on maintaining standards rather than chasing points alone.
“It’s not just another game, but the points will look after themselves,” Dowson told the Gallagher PREM website.
“It’s the last home game of the regular season and there are a lot of big players leaving.
“Now after Bristol, how are we going to react? Do we want to be better or do we want to drop our standards?”
Saints vs. Gloucester Rugby A Farewell To Some
Saturday’s match will also serve as a farewell for several departing Saints players, including George Furbank and Sam Graham, adding another emotional layer to an already significant fixture.
“The input this weekend is not necessarily winning five points or guaranteeing anything, it’s about playing really well and seeing where we end up,” Dowson told the Gallagher PREM website.
Northampton announced earlier this week that the clash against Gloucester had sold out, marking the club’s 10th home sell-out of the season. Dowson admitted occasions like this are exactly what the club wants to embrace heading into the business end of the campaign.
“We want to be playing in front of sell-outs, and we’ve been very lucky with that this season,” Dowson told the Gallagher PREM website.
“We want to enjoy ourselves, and we only enjoy ourselves when we perform well.”
Cherry & Whites Still A Threat
Despite Gloucester sitting outside the Playoff picture, Dowson warned that the Cherry & Whites remain a dangerous side as they continue battling Harlequins for a place in next season’s Investec Champions Cup.
“They’ll be a massive threat,” Dowson told the Gallagher PREM website.
“The way they’re playing from an attacking point of view has been excellent.
“Gloucester will be dangerous. They’ve got the most post-contact metres from their forward group, so they’re a very dangerous side.”
Dowson also praised Saints’ close relationship with Bedford Blues ahead of Sunday’s Championship play-off final against Worcester Warriors, highlighting how the partnership has helped develop players including Henry Pollock, George Hendy and Furbank.
“The relationship with Bedford is a lot tighter than people think,” Dowson told the Gallagher PREM website.
“The Champ is a very good level and a very unforgiving league week in, week out. Our players have learned a huge amount there.”
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