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The 'most disappointing' thing about Northampton's loss to Gloucester

By PA
Northampton Saints DOR Phil Dowson

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson bemoaned his side’s lack of fight as they were beaten 25-17 by Gloucester.

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The defending champions, who won this fixture 90-0 last term, suffered their first home league defeat since October 2023.

Santiago Carreras scored two tries and kicked 10 points as the Cherry and Whites made up for their humiliating 14-try defeat at Franklin’s Gardens at the end of last season.

Dowson said: “It’s hugely disappointing. We were poor in the first half, and credit to Gloucester because they were excellent. They got right on top of us, and we gave ourselves too much to do in that second half.

“It’s hugely frustrating, disappointing and emotional after a game, and there’s obviously some things in terms of tactics where we weren’t at the races, but emotionally, we weren’t in the right place, and Gloucester came here all guns blazing and had a point to prove.

“They proved it. We didn’t stand up for the fight, and that’s probably the most disappointing thing.”

One positive for Northampton was England scrum-half Alex Mitchell making his first appearance of the season after recovering from a neck injury.

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But they lost England fly-half Fin Smith to a head injury assessment early on, while George Hendy was also forced off.

“Alex Mitchell’s input was excellent”, Dowson added.

“For him to be away for that long and to come back and play so well and have such an impact was great.

“He rode the crest of a wave in the second half because the rest of the group picked themselves up a little bit and created some faster ball for him. He was excellent.

“Fin Smith passed his head injury assessment, but he couldn’t see out of one of his eyes because he had a knee in the eye. He passed his HIA, but he had blurred vision in one of his eyes, so he couldn’t continue.

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“George Hendy failed his head injury assessment.”

Gloucester head coach George Skivington was delighted with his side’s display, but the victory did not make up for their mauling in May.

“I will never forget that match, but I’m not sure winning cancels it out,” Skivington said.

“Last year happened, and that was painful, and we have big scars from that, but we are a different team this year.

“A lot of the young lads who played in that match are now starters for us.

“I’m really pleased, but I did think we had a few inaccuracies, actually.

“But the doggedness and fight in the second half was excellent.

“The attitude in shutting down the best-attacking team in the league was the big factor.

“I’m pleased with how we played in the first half but more pleased with how we shut them down in the second half.

“Santi (Carreras) was outstanding today. He showed his world-class pedigree in this game, scoring tries and slotting kicks, and it’s really good to see him back doing that.

“It was just one of those days where our big names turned up for us, everyone grafted, and I’m delighted with the attitude.”

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fl 23 minutes ago
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“A succession of recent ex-players going straight back into the game as coaches in their early 40’s would prob be enough to kill it stone-dead. Innovation would die a death.”

Would it? I do think one of the major differences between rugby and most other sports - which we’ve been overlooking - is the degree to which players are expected to lead team meetings & analysis sessions and the like. Someone like Owen Farrell has basically been an assistant coach already for ten years - and he’s been so under a variety of different head coaches with different expectations and playing styles.


“The most interesting ppl I have met in the game have all coached well into their sixties and they value the time and opportunity they have had to reflect and therefore innovate in the game. That’s based on their ability to compare and contrast between multiple eras.”

I don’t doubt that that’s true. But having interesting insights doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be the best able to inspire a team, or the best at managing the backroom staff.


“Wayne Smith winning the WWC in his mid sixties three years ago prob means nothing to you but it meant a lot to him. It took him back to the roots of is own coaching journey.”

I don’t doubt that! But I don’t think coaches should be hired on the basis that it means a lot to them.


“The likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Wayne Bennett and Andy Reid all have a tale to tell. You should open your ears and listen to it!”

I agree! Never have I ever suggested otherwise!

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J
JW 4 hours ago
French bid to poach 109kg 17-year-old dual-code Aussie prospect Heinz Lemoto

Yes that’s what WR needs to look at. Football had the same problem with european powerhouses getting all the latin talent then you’re gaurenteed to get the odd late bloomer (21/22 etc, all the best footballers can play for the country much younger to get locked) star changing his allegiance.


They used youth rep selection for locking national elifibilty at one point etc. Then later only counted residency after the age of 18 (make clubs/nations like in this case wait even longer).


That’s what I’m talking about, not changing allegiance in rugby (were it can only be captured by the senior side), where it is still the senior side. Oh yeah, good point about CJ, so in most cases we probably want kids to be able to switch allegiance, were say someone like Lemoto could rep Tonga (if he wasn’t so good) but still play for Australia’s seniors, while in someone like Kite’s (the last aussie kid to go to France) case he’ll be French qualified via 5 years residency at the age of 21, so France to lock him up before Aussie even get a chance to select him. But if we use footballs regulations, who I’m suggesting WR need to get their a into g replicating, he would only start his 5 years once he turns 18 or whatever, meaning 23 yo is as soon as anyone can switch, and when if they’re good enough teams like NZ and Aus can select them (France don’t give a f, they select anybody just to lock them).

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