Dowson tips his cap to young gun Todaro after starring role in Tigers win

Director of Rugby Phil Dowson lauded young gun Edoardo Todaro after his starring role in Northampton Saints’ 32-26 victory over Leicester Tigers.

The 19-year-old Italian winger – in just his third Gallagher PREM game and his first East Midlands Derby – scored a try and made another in a man-of-the-match display at a sold-out cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

“Edoardo is not only very talented, he is a physical freak for an 19-year-old, he is also very confident,” said Dowson. “He has that sort-of Henry Pollock thing of just wanting to go and express himself and get stuck in. 

“Credit to our Academy system for both identifying and really pushing those traits that allow him to step into PREM rugby at the first asking and look so accomplished.”

Saints outscored Tigers by five tries to two but couldn’t pull away on the scoreboard as Leicester landed four successful penalties on Saturday afternoon.

Dowson pointed to three huge defensive efforts in the closing ten minutes of the game that proved crucial in ensuring the men in Black, Green and Gold remained unbeaten in the league this term.

“I think the game ebbed and flowed, and credit to Leicester,” added Dowson. “It was back and forth. We just about managed to hold on with some of those rearguard defensive efforts with either a turnover – I think there was two from Craig Wright and Henry Pollock – then we turned over the lineout at the end. That allowed us to relieve pressure in that last ten minutes and that’s fundamentally what it came down to in a pretty intense derby.”

Returning British and Irish Lions Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell and Tommy Freeman all started, with the fourth tourist Pollock emerging from the bench.

Dowson pointed to the impact they made, as well as other returnees to the matchday squad.

He said: “The quality of those four guys cannot be underestimated, but again they haven’t played for such a long period of time. We can train them as hard as we want, we can make it as tough as we can in training, but it is never going to emulate, fully, a game.

“So it was about those guys getting back into it and trying to find their lungs, their legs and their touch. But I thought all four of them were exceptional. And likewise, Trevor Davison and Josh Kemeny coming back in. 

“I think that cohesion was probably a reason why we had a few knock-ons and a few fumbles, but on the whole I thought our desire to try and get stuck into it and try and make things happen was very positive.”

Todaro, Smith and Tom Pearson all crossed the line in the first half, but Saints’ second-half try-scoring was monopolised by replacement Anthony Belleau, who landed a brace of brilliant scores after arriving onto the pitch at fullback to replace Freeman – who himself had shifted from the wing following George Hendy’s first-half withdrawal.

“It was unbelievable for him to come in, out of position as well,” said Dowson on Belleau. “He was outstanding. He showed again what a cool customer he is and a quality individual.”

With 13 points gained from their opening three games, Saints now switch their attentions to two Friday night encounters; starting away at Newcastle Red Bulls (17 October) and Saracens at home (24 October) before the PREM breaks for the Quilter Nations Series and the PREM Rugby Cup.

Dowson said: “The season is almost a third over by the time the Autumn comes and so we have got to make sure we are in a good position to not be too far behind like we were last year and climbing a mountain. 

“I am really pleased with how we have started, really pleased with the depth of the squad and the guys who have stepped in, and I think there is more to come from us to be honest.”