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'We failed': Northampton coach's stark admission after Ulster defeat

By PA
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northampton forwards coach Phil Dowson insisted Northampton would not give up on their Heineken Champions Cup campaign despite being left with a mountain to climb by a 24-20 defeat to Ulster at Franklin’s Gardens.

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Dowson was standing in on the day for director of rugby Chris Boyd, who this week was suspended for two matches following ill-advised comments about a referee in an earlier game.

The defeat left Northampton with just two points from their three European fixtures, with only an away game at Racing 92 to come in the pool stage.

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The result also marred a special day for Courtney Lawes, who was making his 250th appearance for the club and was replaced with 15 minutes to play.

Dan Biggar and Rory Hutchinson scored Northampton’s tries. Biggar kicked two penalties and a conversion, with George Furbank also adding a two-pointer.

Dowson said: “You never say never but it will be a tough ask at Racing, but we will make a tough run at it.

“It was frustrating to concede early as it left us with a mountain to climb. We left ourselves with too much to do to get back into it.

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“Courtney was winded earlier in the game, but he was exhausted and he’s experienced enough to tell us when he’s done, so we brought on some fresh legs.

“We wanted to make it a big day for him, but we failed on that account as we didn’t quite manage it.

“Crucially, all our European games have seen us start poorly. There are big lessons for our squad to learn, but they are young and ambitious.”

In contrast, Ulster were buoyant as they secured qualification with a bonus-point victory. Man of the match Mike Lowry scored two tries, with Robert Baloucoune and Nathan Doak also on the scoresheet. Doak added two conversions.

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A feature of Ulster’s win was the impressive performances of their back three – full-back Lowry and wings Baloucoune and Ethan Mcllroy – who caused Saints no end of problems with their elusive running.

Director of rugby Dan McFarland said: “These youngsters are at a time in their career when they believe they are invincible and they are able to produce some magic moments.

“We always knew it was going to be tough as Saints are a fantastic side and we knew our defence had to be top notch.

“We found it difficult to break them down and now we have to face a difficult task at home to Clermont next week.

“They are a very physical side with hard-hitting ball carriers, so it won’t be easy.”

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Tom 1 hour ago
Has 'narrow-mindedness' cost Ribbans and others their Lions chance?

I didn't say anything regarding whether I feel the eligibility rule is right or wrong, you've jumped to conclusions there…


The fact is the eligibility rule does exist and any English qualified player is aware when they sign a foreign contract that they're making themselves ineligible and less likely to be picked for the Lions. If Jack Willis and Dave Ribbans priority was playing for England and the Lions they wouldn't be playing in France. Whether they should be allowed to play for England or not isn't my point. Under the current rules they have chosen to make themselves ineligible so they can't have their cake and eat it while other players have taken lesser salaries to commit themselves to their dream of playing for England and the Lions. They have made their choices.


Besides, while it works for South Africa doesn't prove it will work for any other country. South Africa have an extraordinary talent pool of incredible rugby athletes which no other country can compete with. They sadly don't have the resources to keep hold of them so they've been forced into this system. If they had the wealth to keep all their players at home and were still playing in Super Rugby they might be even better… they could be worse. We can't know for sure but cherry picking the best country in the world with a sample size of 1 and extrapolating it to other nations with very different circumstances doesn't hold water. Again, not saying the eligibility rule is correct just that you can't assume scrapping it would benefit us simply because South Africa are world champions.

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I
IkeaBoy 2 hours ago
How Leinster bullied the Bulls at Croke Park

Expert coaches exist across the land and the IRFU already funds plenty. Ulster own their academy and who owns Ulster?


If you go to school in the North and rugby/tag rugby isn’t even on the PE curriculum until 12/13 as opposed to 7 or 8 in Leinster, how is that the IRFU’s fault? Even then, it’s only certain schools in the North that will offer it. On what basis would they go up to the North (strictly speaking, another country in the eyes of some) and dictate their schools programme?


The ABs used to be light years ahead of the pack because their eventual test superstars had been playing structured, competitive rugby from an average age of 5/6! On top of kicking it around the yard from the age they could walk with their rugby mad parents and older siblings.


Have you somehow gotten the impression that the Leinster system is not working for Irish rugby? What is that based on? The SARU should just stop competing because despite their back to back RWC’s, all 4 of their URC teams aren’t contesting semi-finals every year?


A couple of mining towns basically provided a Welsh team in the 70’s that were unplayable. Queensland in the old Super 10 provided the spine of an Oz team that were the first to win multiple world cups and in the same decade. The ABs population density is well documented with 35% of the population living around one city.


Is England’s match day 23 equally represented by mid-counties players, tough as nails northerners, a couple from Cornwall, a pack of manc’s and a lone Geordie? Ever?

It’s cute they won’t relegate the Falcons but has a Geordie test player ever hit 50 caps?


It’s ok not to understand geography. It’s also ok not to understand sport. Not understanding the geography of sport is something different entirely.

266 Go to comments
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