'Great narrative' as Saints get set to take on Leicester Tigers again
Phil Dowson says Friday night’s huge Gallagher PREM play-off semi-final against Leicester Tigers has ‘a great narrative’.
The local rivals meet at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens after Saints finished top of the table and Tigers slipped to fourth with a narrow defeat at Bath last Saturday.
There has been some talk in the national media about Tigers actually preferring to travel to Saints rather than second-placed Bath in the semi-finals as Geoff Parling’s men were big winners the last time they faced Dowson’s team.
The black, green and gold were outgunned in pretty much every department during a 41-17 defeat at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on May 9.
And when asked what went so wrong for Saints on that day, boss Dowson said: “It was around those technical aspects of the game, where we weren't at it, and we've talked about those things a lot.
“Our reaction to that was the Bristol game the following week (which Saints won 94-33) where we rectified some of those things, and we have to continue to push across all the games to make sure those lessons we've learned are still very relevant day to day.
"It's going to be hugely exciting this week and it's why we want to play the game: a home draw in the semi-final against Leicester.
“They had the upper hand a month ago so it's made, it's a great narrative.
“We know the crowd and the media will respond to that and it will be well built up.”
Leicester reached the PREM showpiece last season, losing 23-21 to Bath at Twickenham.
But they have kicked on during Parling’s first campaign in charge, winning 12 of their 18 league matches and claiming glory in the PREM Rugby Cup, thrashing Exeter Chiefs 66-14 in the final at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
And Dowson said: “When you watch their game at Bath last weekend and our game against Leicester a few weeks ago, it's clear as to what a high quality team they are.
“We didn't get the set piece right in that game and they've got a very talented backline who can punish you on the back of that ball.
“We're under no illusions as to what to expect and we're looking forward to the occasion.”