Phil Dowson has called on Northampton Saints to make sure they convert pressure into more points, after the men in Black, Green and Gold slipped from a 21-0 lead to a 45-35 loss at Stade Francais last weekend.
Saints scored five tries in Paris – through Tom Lockett, Henry Pollock (2), Henry Walker and Curtis Langdon – but allowed their hosts to come back into the game and score six of their own alongside a penalty try.
And despite their strong start, it was Northampton’s inconsistency in both attack and defence that Dowson believes cost Saints their unbeaten run in the Investec Champions Cup.
“We were flying but there were going to be ebbs and flows in the game,” said Dowson. “There were going to be times where they had momentum and times where we had it.
“We started very well again but we didn't manage to convert some of that pressure later on, and it’s cost us as they’ve come back into the game.”
Phil Dowson
“It’s what's going to happen at the top end of Europe and in fairness to [Stade Francais], they came back into the game and scored just before half-time, which was a blow.
“Right up until 20 minutes to go, we were there or thereabouts, but we didn't deal with their power, particularly in the second half.”
A growing injury list and the late the loss of fly-half Fin Smith to illness disrupted Saints’ preparations for the clash against Stade and meant that the likes of try-scorer Lockett, European debutant Ed Prowse and late call-up Charlie Savala all started the clash in Paris.
And while Saints could not secure the victory, Dowson was delighted with the way his squad stepped into their roles throughout the week.
“I was incredibly proud of the squad effort,” Dowson said. “We talked before the game about how hard those lads work in training, how hard they work when they’re not getting picked and how ingrained they are with our system.
“Lots of players stepped up who haven't played much recently and who have been dying to play – guys like Seabs [Tom Seabrook], Charlie Savala stepping in late.
“All those lads acquitted themselves brilliantly and it speaks volumes about them as people and us as a group that we've got lots and lots of people who are willing to put a shift in.”
Dowson continued: “We were shorn of some second rows and that game is going to be an unbelievable experience for someone like Tom Lockett. He’ll take that result personally.
“We did create some pressure and sometimes when you need the lineout ball and it goes astray, that lets the pressure off.
“Tommy will be so much better for it and the ugly, horrible, nasty experiences will be what he's talking about for a long period of time and will be just what he needs in terms of learning.”
Saints’ attentions must now quickly turn to the arrival of Munster Rugby on Saturday (18 January, kick-off: 3.15pm), as Northampton go in search of a home Round-of-16 tie after qualifying for the competition’s knock-out stages last weekend.
“There’s huge history at Munster, tonnes of quality, tonnes of edge, a great leader in [Peter] O’Mahony,” said Dowson.
“It’s going to be a great challenge for us, added with Chris Boyd, the ex-Saints director of rugby, who will be back in town.”
