Saints’ legend Lawes, who has moved to Brive in France’s ProD2, former club captain Lewis Ludlam and veteran prop Alex Waller all exited Franklin’s Garden in the summer.
The leadership burden will now fall on the likes of George Furbank, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell, Alex Coles and Fin Smith as Dowson plots Northampton’s campaign.
Lawes and Ludlam leave big shoes to fill but Dowson is confident his charges are on the right road to replacing two iconic Saints players and not resting on their laurels after last season’s glory.
“Courtney, he’s an absolute rock and roll star, a club legend,” said Dowson. “Clearly his experience and his know-how, the lads look to him in certain moments, will be missed. But little by little we’re picking up some of that experience, people have learned from him and other players are taking some of his personality under pressure. People like Furbank, Dingers and Alex Coles have picked up a huge amount from him, just being around him in those games. Clearly, he is a big miss, but we have to move forward, and we have to try and develop different leaders.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 01, 2024-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 01, 2024-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
