Saints’ Dowson’s Staggering 47-Point Showdown Proves Price of Six Nations Tours Is High
Phil Dowson's Northampton team are fighting on two fronts in the Prem and Investec Champions Cup [Getty Images] Northampton Saints boss Phil Dowson is counting the cost of a physical Six Nations tournament as they prepare to return to league action this weekend. Saints lead the Prem table by two points after 10 games, but scrum-half Alex Mitchell and lock Alex Coles are facing spells on the sidelines after sustaining injuries on England duty. Mitchell suffered a hamstring injury against Ireland and Coles damaged an ankle in the thrilling 48-46 defeat by France in Paris.
"I think there's an element of watching it through your fingers and hoping everyone gets through, but also of watching it as an England fan and a fan of good rugby as well," Dowson told BBC Radio Northampton. "Alex Coles came off on crutches and we're waiting to see what the specialist has to say about that. Alex Mitchell didn't make it through from the Ireland game and he won't be involved [for a while].
The rest of the guys seem to be just about OK. "You've got to take into account the emotional toll. Playing on those stages you get emotionally exhausted from the stress of it and the media attention, all those sort of things - but also not playing.
Manny Iyogun spent six weeks being frustrated, sitting on the bench or not even that, just travelling and watching games. "Guys get tired either way and we've got to refresh them and get them back into the Saints way as quickly as possible. " Northampton are at home to Newcastle Red Bulls on Saturday, a team they have already beaten three times this season, once in the league and twice in the Prem Rugby Cup.
Despite that, and the departure of Alan Dickens , Dowson believes Newcastle are a good side who will pose a big challenge for his team. "The PRC I think we can discount based on the different characters [who played] in both groups and the fact that they've had a long time together to prepare for this game," he said. "From a man-management point of view, from an honesty point of view, from a doing things the right way point of view, Alan Dickens ticks all those boxes and more.