Breaking News: Dowson set to start for England
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SAINTS forward Phil Dowson looks set to make his first start for England in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash.
At 30 Dowson will be one of the oldest players ever to win a first England cap as he is widely expected to start ahead of Scarlets’ Ben Morgan at No.8.
Dowson has spent six years playing for England Saxons, racking up a record number of appearances for the second string and he must have thought his chance had gone.
Not Dowson, who regularly captained the Saxons under Stuart Lancaster, looks set to get his chance thanks to England’s interim head coach.
And Leicester’s Tom Croft, now one of England’s senior players, is backing Dowson and insists it would be a mistake to underestimate new England.
‘I think Dowson is an ideal player,” said Croft. “It is not as though we have players coming in who are on the bench for their clubs. These guys are performing at the top level for their clubs and are ready for the step up.
‘Dows plays exceptionally well each week and he always shines in a game. He is ready.
‘People will see our teamsheet and there may not be a great deal of caps, but there are a lot of talented players. We have some electric players and if it all comes together, we will be very dangerous. If people think we are inexperienced then that is their weak point. In terms of playing experience and experience of leadership, there is masses in the squad.’
And Saints forwards coach Dorian West believes Dowson will slot in perfectly for England.
“Dows consistently performs well for us at Northampton,” said Dorian West. “His is completely dependable, a good lad, a good leader.”
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