Furbank will not be the only Saints player receiving plenty of attention at the weekend.
Young flanker Henry Pollock is building a reputation for himself at the very top of the game, both for his ability on the pitch and for his personality.
The latter of which, Dowson believes is misunderstood.
“He’s always been mature, he’s always understood the situation, professionalism and what he wanted,” he said.
“Some people mistake his exuberance for arrogance – he’s confident.”
Dowson will want to see that confidence on full display during Saturday’s final, though it will be Pollock’s first after missing the side’s 2024 victory away on international duty with England Under-20s.
His director, meanwhile, has been here before – both as a coach during the Saints’ 2024 title win and as a player in 2014 – and it’s a feeling he relishes despite all the pressure.
“You enjoy the tensions and the nerves,” the former England flanker said.
“These are the occasions that you want to play in, that you want to coach in and these are the occasions that I’m determined to enjoy.”
