BOSS CHALLENGING TOP GUNS TO PROVE WORTH

PHIL DOWSON has challenged Northampton's big guns to show they are top dogs after his second-stringers pulled the plug on Bath last weekend.

- BY ADAM HATHAWAY

In the performance of the Prem season so far, Saints sent a team shorn of most of their stars to face the champions at the Rec last Saturday - and went home with a stunning 41-21 win.

Director of Rugby Dowson has recalled the bulk of his first-choice names for today's visit of Harlequins, ahead of next weekend's mouthwatering European clash with Bordeaux-Begles.

Quins are rank outsiders and face the league leaders on the back of 40-point hammerings from Bristol and Sale.

Dowson has urged Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith and Co to prove they are the main men ahead of the trip to the Kings of Europe by living up to their favourites tag.