Northampton Saints are thoroughly immersing themselves in the sights and sounds of Sri Lanka this week, as the squad prepare to take on the Asia Pacific Lions there this Friday (28 August: kick-off: 11.30am UK time).
The men in Black, Green and Gold touched down in Colombo on Sunday and have been making the most of their time away from Franklin’s Gardens, sandwiching their training sessions with visiting some of the country’s landmarks, delivering community coaching sessions and training to Sri Lankan players and coaches, and playing in an all-star cricket match against a host of Sri Lankan internationals.
And for Dowson, the time spent together will be invaluable as they look to kick-off their Gallagher PREM title-defence campaign next month.
He said: “The benefits of travelling together are really obvious in terms of the lads getting to spend lots of time together and getting to know each other better. But also the chance to immerse ourselves in something totally different, experience a new culture together.
“The welcome had been incredible. Everyone has been so friendly, so curious about rugby, so helpful. They’ve been trying to make us feel as welcome as possible and show off their country which they’re obviously very proud of.
“The boys have engaged with that; they’ve got out and about outside of the hotel. They’re just trying to see as much of Sri Lanka as they possibly can in the short time we’re here.”
Saints’ kicked off their week in Colombo with Rugby vs Cricket charity T12 match – where a combined side of Northampton and Asia Pacific Lions players faced off with legends of Sri Lankan cricket, including Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda De Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Romesh Kaluwitharana and Mahela Jayawardene.
In the end Team Rugby weren’t able to chase down Team Cricket’s 139 runs, despite Alex Mitchell’s respectable 24, Alex Coles’ 19 not out, George Hendy’s opening 18 and Henry Pollock’s impressive 13 off four balls.
“Cricket is everywhere here,” said Dowson, who also featured in the charity clash.
“We obviously had the game against the Sri Lankan World Cup legends. That was an excellent experience, despite the fact that Tommy Freeman dropped Jayawardene off my bowling.
“A few of the boys also went to watch the Sri Lanka Test match – they’re currently playing India – which is an experience to go and watch a Test match abroad.
“Everywhere we travel on the bus, there’s cricket pitches and cricket games going on – they’re mad for it. We’re actually in the same hotel as the Sri Lankan cricket team as well.
“It’s been cool to see that side of sporting life in Sri Lanka.”
Next on the agenda for Dowson’s side is that warm-up match against Asia Pacific Lions on Friday, as they take to Racecourse International Stadium opposite a side that includes the likes of former Australian international Will Genia, Fiji’s Waisea Nayacalevu and Saint #1993 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
The clash marks Saints’ first of the new campaign and provides valuable game-time ahead of the start of the PREM Rugby Cup – where Northampton kick-off their competitive term with the short trip to Saracens on Saturday 5 September (kick-off: 3pm) in Round 1.
“It’s obviously the first hit-out for this group,” said Dowson.
“We’ve had some really good conversations around this being the start of the next journey. Last season was a slightly different group and this group wants to go and attack the opportunity ahead of them.
“That all starts with this warm-up game here in Sri Lanka. Seeing how we measure up and seeing how much of what we’ve been working on in training comes out in the game.”