Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson felt his side had to ‘grind out’ their 28-12 opening round Investec Champions Cup victory over a travelling Cardiff Rugby side.
Despite keeping Cardiff to nil on the scoreboard at the break, under difficult weather conditions at DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, Cardiff pulled back to within two points in the second half. However, a brilliant try from Investec Player of the Match George Hendy and another at the death from Fraser Dingwall sealed the important victory for Saints to open their European campaign on the right footing.
“We really had to grind that one out,” said Dowson at the full-time whistle. ”That’s what Europe is all about. It’s a tough competition, and the conditions changed just before kick-off. The players had to adapt, and I thought the players did that very well.
“Our defence was excellent. I thought our effort around the loose ball, how we scramble back, how we chase kicks – all of those things that are hard to measure were brilliant, which really speaks about the effort of the group and the emotional buy-in that the group has was exceptional. I thought our goal line defence was as good as it’s been this season.”
In Cardiff’s first visit to Northampton since 2010, a game in which Dowson was himself on the field, the Director of Rugby rang in the changes from last week’s victory over Bath, including handing out four Investec Champions Cup debuts to Josh Taylor, James Pater, Ion Neculai and Charlie Ulcoq.
“I thought those guys who came in did a brilliant job,” Dowson said of those European debutants.
“It’s always exciting to see those people on that journey, people like young James Pater and Charlie Ulcoq playing their first European game is exciting, and we try and make sure they know how special that is. I thought they were both excellent.
“Everyone at this time of year, early on in the season, wants to go deep in both competitions, in their respective domestic leagues as well as Europe. We’re no different.
“We have to trust our squad and use our depth and give people opportunities and see how they react to pressure, and I thought on the whole the players really stepped up.”
Whilst Dowson handed out competition debuts, he also relied on some of his star men, and perhaps none more so than the evening’s player of the match Hendy – whose interventions, in both the form of a try and a monstrous try-saving tackle, were massive momentum shifters for Saints in the second half.
“That tackle from George was a huge moment,” Dowson added. “It gives the group a massive energy boost in moments like that.
“There’s been a lot of talk about George for his athleticism and prowess in attack, but recently I’ve seen a big change in his defensive work, communication, and back-field play, as well as his aerial work, so adding those facets to his game makes him a handful.
“George can break the game open; he can beat people where others can’t and sees space and has the speed to back it up.”