Saints' Dowson says English clubs hampered by 'dysfunctional' schedule

04/08/2025 02:51 PM

• Director wants fewer club games in international window
• Cardiff on the brink of entering administration

English club rugby is being undermined by a "dysfunctional" fixture schedule that is making it harder to compete with other top European sides, according to Northampton's director of rugby, Phil Dowson. Saints are the only English team still involved in the Champions Cup this season but Dowson believes Premiership teams are being handicapped by their own domestic calendar.

Northampton were crowned Premiership champions last season and also made the Champions Cup semi-finals, but Dowson believes it will require a "monumental effort" for any Premiership club to challenge successfully on two fronts given the current structure and salary cap restrictions.