Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson says there is “no need for added motivation” as they welcome reigning Gallagher Premiership champions Saracens tonight (7:45 pm March 29).
He said: “It’s always a mental test, it was a mental test going to Bristol, going to Munster, going anywhere it’s a mental test.
“We talk about it when we play in Europe, we talk about it when we then play in the Prem it’s a big challenge to find out where you’re at.
“They are all big tests, and this one is a big one for us.”
Dowson believed that preparation wasn’t quite right after last week’s trip to Bristol but feels like Saracens is a good test to get back on track.
He said: “We need to see how we react to last week’s result as a group and also see where we are as a team.
“Moving into the run-in, I’m excited about that and you want to be challenged by the best teams and they are certainly one of those.”
Fresh from his return from Six Nations duty with England, Fraser Dingwall was open about the need for a response from the team this week.
He said: “The nature of the loss on Friday is normally teams then give a response.
“You mentioned we are playing the reigning champions at home on Friday night and also it being the Saints Foundation game which is very important to us with the charity and everything they do.
“In terms of occasions, it doesn’t get much bigger for us.”
The centre also reflected on his time with England.
He said: “I look back on it really positively, especially in the early stages.
“Even when I wasn’t involved it was great to be part of a group trying to evolve and go to a different place than rugby and kick on.
“I am very honoured and very fortunate for the chance and be a part of the bigger picture.”
Dingwall also knows no love will be lost once that whistle goes at the Gardens on Friday night.
He said: “Once you come back to your club it becomes your focus.
“There won’t be any issues with who you are competing against but no doubt on game day you know who you are competing for.”
The Saints remain top of the domestic table despite a difficult 52-21 defeat away at Bristol Bears last time out.
Despite hopes that last week’s result was a blip, Dowson understands that his side can’t afford to get complacent in the run into the end of the season.
He said: “I don’t think it is ever a case of the players not trying or not believing in what we are doing.
“It was more of a case of us not quite getting the preparation right, we haven’t done this block right.
“It’s that we don’t want to get it wrong again.”
15 James Ramm
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Burger Odendaal
12 Fraser Dingwall
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 Fin Smith
9 Tom James
1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Curtis Langdon
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Moon
5 Alex Coles
6 Courtney Lawes (c)
7 Tom Pearson
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Alex Waller
18 Ed Prowse
19 Temo Mayanavanua
20 Lewis Ludlam
21 Sam Graham
22 Archie McParland
23 Tom Litchfield
Referee: Luke Pearce
