Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson wants to see an improvement in his side’s discipline after they suffered a second Prem defeat at the weekend.

The reigning champions came unstuck at a sodden Mattioli Woods Welford Road, losing 28-7 to local rivals Leicester Tigers, going pointless in the second half after holding a slender four-point lead at the break.

The momentum totally changed in the second 40 minutes after England team-mates Henry Pollock and Ollie Chessum were involved in an altercation as they headed towards the changing rooms at half-time.

Dowson is looking for his side to keep their composure and recapture the quality they showed in an incredible 71-48 victory over Bath earlier this month.

Saints next host league leaders Gloucester in a mouthwatering clash at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday [17:30 GMT].

“First half, we were pretty happy with, but second half we didn’t execute like we have been doing which was the frustration and the reason why the players were particularly disappointed,” Dowson told BBC Radio Northampton.

“In those conditions, discipline is obviously a huge factor, and we gave away far too many penalties which is annoying and something we’ve talked about before.

“Staying within system, but doing it really aggressively, is a real hard balance to do, and we didn’t get that right at the weekend. You don’t need to be a hero and we need to trust what we’re doing.

“Committing to our plan will be one thing, discipline will be another, and that swing in momentum is something we need to be better at dealing with.”

Gloucester, meanwhile, look a threat to Saints’ defence of the title this season.

The Cherry and Whites, who last finished top of the table 20 seasons ago, have started like they mean business.

A 23-5 victory against Bath at Kingsholm on Friday certainly impressed Dowson, and has earmarked Gloucester as dark horses for silverware after finishing eighth in the Prem last season.

“They’ve been excellent, obviously top of the table, and I thought they built momentum very well at the end of last season,” he said.

“They’ve recruited very, very well. They’ve brought in new coaches that seem to have made a really big impact. [Technical director] Chris Boyd has obviously had a very big impact.

“Talking to [head coach] George Skivington, it’s really interesting to see what that looks like on the ground, so a group with tons of confidence, tons of emotional belief behind them, and loads of momentum and that makes them very exciting.”

Dowson confirmed that England fly-half Fin Smith is a doubt for Saturday’s game.

Smith had to be replaced for the final 10 minutes by Ollie Sleightholme in the defeat at Leicester.

“Fin Smith’s been in the England camp but he got a bit of a calf [injury] at the weekend at the game so we’ll wait to see how he is,” Dowson said.

Team news of Northampton Saints v Gloucester, as well as the other four Prem matches happening this weekend, will be confirmed by BBC Sport on Friday afternoon on the rugby union home page.