Phil Dowson says Northampton Saints 'excited for crack at PREM final ahead of play-off against Leicester Tigers - 'We would have bitten your hand off'

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Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson says his side are relishing the chance to win another Gallagher PREM title ahead of this weekend's play-off semi-final.

Dowson 'would've bitten your hand off' for this season's success

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The table-toppers face Leicester Tigers at Franklin's Gardens on Friday night - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Victory would see Saints progress to a final against either Bath or Exeter Chiefs, and give them the opportunity to replicate their title triumph of 2024.

"We look ahead with excitement," Dowson said in an interview with TNT Sports. "If you'd said at the start of pre-season that you're going to have this game against Leicester on Friday night to get to a final, we'd have bitten your hand off.

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"We've been excellent all year, we've been consistent. There have been days where we haven't been quite at it, and we've got to make sure we rely on those performance factors on Friday, put our best foot forward and give ourselves a go against a very good team.

"It's excitement and nervous energy, and we trained very well this week."

It has been an impressive season for Saints, who slumped to eighth last season but have bounced back in style in 2025/26, losing just three of 18 matches.

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"It's a journey we've been going through," Dowson said. "In 2024, we won the tournament and we had a great group. Then we lost some leaders and last year we learnt a lot of lessons, finishing eighth but having a good cup run.

"We had plenty of capability and we've been working on our consistency. Throughout the season the players have been incredibly consistent, both how they've trained and they've played."

Saints have earned plaudits for their free-flowing rugby, but Dowson made his priorities clear.

"It's not necessarily important how attractive it is, it's how effective it is, and I think that's the way we choose to play," he said.

"Both sides of the ball we've been pushing pretty hard. The way we play is entertaining and we definitely want to continue that."

Asked what the biggest challenges of the season have been, Dowson added: "Most DRs will talk about injuries to key players.

"Post-Autumn internationals at Bristol [46-12 defeat] was obviously a very tough day. There was a run of form post-Six Nations where we struggled to find momentum but still managed to get results, which was incredibly pleasing.

"And obviously Leicester away [41-17 loss] we didn't quite get things right, but since then, the response with the Bristol game [94-33 win] was incredible and spoke volumes about the character of the group."

A core of English players has helped Saints to success this season, with the likes of Fin Smith, Henry Pollock and Tommy Freeman catching the eye.

"There are so many players but what we rely on at Northampton is our academy and the development of young players," Dowson said.

"We have a very accomplished coaching group and academy staff that cover off the major bases.

"What's encouraging is that the pathway has been trodden, there's other guys coming in - James Pater and Jonny Weimann - you can see that progression."

Full PREM play-off schedule

Friday, June 12

Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers (cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens, 19:45 UK time)

Saturday, June 13

Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs (The Rec, 15:00 UK time)

The two victorious teams will meet in the season finale on June 20 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

How to watch

Every Gallagher PREM match of the 2025/26 season – including the play-offs and final – will be shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max in the UK.

TNT Sports and HBO Max will continue to show at least one Premiership Women’s Rugby match each gameweek throughout the 2025/26 season in the UK, as well as both the semi-finals and the final, the latter showpiece last term having seen Gloucester-Hartpury make off with the crown and seal a "three-peat."

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Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM and Premiership Women's Rugby live on TNT Sports and HBO Max

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