Phil Dowson

Chunya Munga (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The big interview: Tom Vickers talks to Saints lock Chunya Munga

Lewis Ludlam celebrated scoring a try against Harlequins last Friday night (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson delivers Saints injury update and responds to latest Ludlam links

George Furbank (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson full of praise for key duo after Saints see off Harlequins

Saints boss Phil Dowson (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Time's flying as Saints get set for key encounter against Harlequins

Sam Matavesi scored against Leicester last weekend (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Matavesi shows character and keeps smiling as he settles back in at Saints

Fin Smith (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson delivers injury update on Saints duo ahead of Harlequins clash

Saints boss Phil Dowson (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson discusses injuries, Pollock and Saints' desire to 'get back on the horse'

George Furbank scored for Saints (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Penalty count put us in trouble, says Dowson following Saints' defeat to Tigers

Fin Smith led the way against Exeter last weekend (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Smith happy hard work is paying off as fly-half continues to shine for Saints

Phil Dowson (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Time to stay grounded as Dowson's Saints prepare for derby-day battle at Tigers

George Furbank (photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Furbank injury latest as boss Dowson welcomes tough Saints selection decisions

Fin Smith (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson salutes Smith as fly-half continues to show his class for Saints

Fraser Dingwall was mobbed after bagging Saints' bonus-point try (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints 34 Exeter Chiefs 19: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

Fraser Dingwall dived over for Saints' bonus-point try (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson delighted as Saints produce the perfect blend to see off Exeter Chiefs

Charlie Savala (photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Saints move quickly to fill Grayson void as Savala signs on loan from Edinburgh

James Grayson (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson: Door is never closed for brilliant Saintsman Grayson
Phil Dowson says 'the door is never closed' for James Grayson at Saints, paying tribute to the 'brilliant Saintsman' ahead of his move to Japan.

Chantelle Cameron is set to take on Katie Taylor again (photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Saints boss Dowson would love to see town star Cameron box at the Gardens

Ehren Painter has made a strong start to life at Exeter (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Familiar faces seek to mastermind Saints' downfall as Exeter come calling

Trevor Davison missed the clash with Bath due to illness (photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Dowson delivers Saints injury and availability latest ahead of Exeter encounter

George Hendy (picture: Ketan Shah)

Hendy becoming 'a very good Premiership player', says Saints boss Dowson

George Hendy scored what proved to be the winning try for Saints against Bath (picture: Ketan Shah)

Dowson salutes Saints as they show character to see off Bath

Lewis Ludlam (photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Saints boss Dowson reacts to Ludlam links to Toulon

Phil Dowson (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson knows it keeps getting tighter at the top as Saints host Bath

Lewis Ludlam (photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Saints and Bath set to be boosted by some World Cup players for Gardens showdown

Tom James (photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Newcastle Falcons 14 Northampton Saints 16: Tom Vickers' review and ratings

Tom James took the congratulations after winning the penalty that secured Saints a crucial victory at Newcastle (photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Dowson delighted with Saints' battling qualities as they see off Falcons

Phil Dowson (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson wants 'same energy' as last season when Saints face Falcons
Phil Dowson wants Saints to show the same energy they produced in their impressive 66-5 win at Newcastle Falcons last season.

Tom Pearson (photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)

The big interview: Tom Vickers talks to Saints flanker Tom Pearson

Tommy Freeman scored before being forced off last weekend (photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)

Dowson delivers latest injury update ahead of Saints' trip to Newcastle

Tom Litchfield stepped up for Saints (photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)

Saints 'guilty of trying a bit too hard' during defeat to Bears

Tommy Freeman bagged the bonus-point try for Saints (photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)

Late first-half lapses so costly as Dowson is left to reflect on Saints defeat

Alex Mitchell starts again on Saturday (photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

'Unbelievable journey' for Mitchell as Saints star starts in semi-final

Phil Dowson with George Furbank before Saints' game at Sale last Sunday (picture: Adam Gumbs)

Dowson delivers Saints injury latest ahead of Premiership battle with Bears

Phil Dowson with Dave Walder and Sam Vesty before Saints' clash with Bristol earlier this season (photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Dowson determined to make Saints the complete package

Saints showed real fight at Sale (photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for Sale Sharks)

Saints 'left points out there' at Sale but Dowson hails 'outstanding' effort

Tom Pearson shone for Saints (picture: Ketan Shah)

Dowson salutes young guns and new signings after Saints secure big win

Phil Dowson and Matt Ferguson (picture: Adam Gumbs)

Dowson demands fast start from Saints against Doncaster

Sam Graham is set to be Saints' go-to guy at No.8 (photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Saints set to select another strong side as league opener edges ever closer

Juarno Augustus (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saints dealt big blow as Augustus requires surgery

Phil Dowson (picture: Adam Gumbs)

'We weren't present' - Dowson shocked by Saints' first-half showing against Bath

James Ramm came off the bench to score in his first appearance of the season last Saturday (photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Saints ready to kick on as start of league season edges ever closer

George Furbank made his first appearance of the season last Saturday (photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Dowson backs soon-to-be Saints centurion Furbank to return to England picture

Manny Iyogun (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson so impressed as Iyogun comes back 'bigger and better' for Saints

Burger Odendaal (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson delivers Saints injury latest ahead of cup clash with Bath

Phil Dowson and Sam Vesty in conversation with Dave Walder (photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Dowson takes the positives from Saints' last-gasp defeat at Bristol Bears

Henry Pollock started against Ealing (photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)

Dowson believes Saints youngsters will benefit from Ealing battle

Saints go to Ealing Trailfinders on Sunday (picture: Ketan Shah)

Dowson recognises significance of Premiership Rugby Cup run for Saints

Tom Seabrook started for Saints against the Barbarians (picture: Ketan Shah)

Dowson happy to see Saints show 'real heart' in defeat to Barbarians

Saints started their pre-season campaign at Bedford last Saturday (picture: Ketan Shah)

Saints bid to start home campaign on a high note as they square up to Barbarians

Tom Pearson played for England against Wales at the start of August (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Summer signing Pearson ready to start life at Saints

A youthful Saints side suffered defeat at Bedford Blues (picture: Ketan Shah)

Dowson salutes trio after Saints' pre-season opener against Bedford Blues

Saints boss Phil Dowson (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson explains Saints squad management as he praises guest players

Tom Cruse on the charge in pre-season training (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Time to 'blow off a few cobwebs' as Saints travel to Bedford

Saints boss Phil Dowson (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dowson so excited about potential of Saints squad for second season in charge

Tom Pearson (photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Saints star Pearson to stay with England despite missing out on World Cup squad