Outsanding Dowson is Jim's Mr Consistent
SAINTS boss Jim Mallinder admits this is when his man-management skills come to the fore as a host of internationals return to the squad.
After two wins out of two to secure a place in the semi-finals of the LV= Cup with all the internationals away, the likes of Joe Ansbro and Mark Easter will be hoping they have done enough to retain their places for tomorrow's return to Guinness Premiership action.
Mallinder still has four players on international duty, but with England Saxons and Scotland A finished, four return to the club hungry to play.
The Saints director of rugby has to strike the tricky balance of picking those in form and letting those who have done well in the past two weeks down gently.
The Saxons players didn't arrive until Tuesday, which may complicate things further, but Mallinder knows after last season's surprise home defeat to the Falcons he has to get the selection right.
"It is tricky, you have got the lads who played well at the weekend, combined with the lads who have been away for one or two weeks playing international rugby," said Mallinder.
"It is good to have the players back and the decisions to be made. We are aware that we have still got a long season ahead of us, so we have just got to pick the right team for this game.
"It is tough, because you have got players who have gone away and played well for the international teams and you have the lads in the same position, playing for us, it is just balancing that.
"Some people need to come back into the team, whereas some need to take a bench spot and work their way into the team."
One that could well see off the return of the internationals is Stephen Myler. The former Salford rugby league player enjoyed a perfect kicking game against Leicester last week and his defence was in good order as well as the Tigers dominated possession.
Shane Geraghty was wearing the number 10 shirt before he joined up with the Saxons where he starred at fly-half twice in victories over Ireland A and Italy A.
But Myler looks a tough man to dislodge at the moment.
"Stephen is improving, I was pleased with his performance last week," said Mallinder. "It is always very pleasing when somebody kicks all their goals. It is real good security to know that every time you have a chance they knock over the two or the three points and I thought his game management was overall very good as well.
"He is growing in confidence, he is still relatively inexperienced in terms of how many games he has played at this level.
"He did really well for us last year and he has done well for us this year. We have swapped around a little bit with him and Shane, but over the past two weeks he has done really well for us.
"I thought he had a good performance up at Sale and backed that up against Leicester. Hopefully he will continue to improve as the season progresses."
One man that looks sure to slot back into the pack is Phil Dowson.
He was man of the match for the Saxons against Ireland A and he will certainly be fired up to take on the club he left for Franklin's Gardens in the summer.
Mallinder said: "We knew when we signed Phil that he was a good, experienced player who would add something to our side, and he has backed up our judgement.
"He has been outstanding for us, he has played all over the back row. His versatility is important and so is what he adds to the team on and off the field. Week-in, week-out he is one of the best back-rowers in the Premiership."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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