Champions Trophy: Northampton are ready to ride the sprinter targeting Henri Pollock at Bordeaux

However, Dawson insists his side did not derive motivation from that defeat.

He told BBC Radio Northampton: “I think you’ll always be disappointed after a final, and they have the honor of celebrating however they want.”

“I gave them praise and compliments in the post-match interview and I still will and we have to make sure we prepare for this game and not re-analyze that game.”

Northampton’s run to last year’s final was built on their famous away victories, beating the high-flying South African Bulls in Pretoria in the pool stages before overcoming Leinster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

The Purdue Beagles have won seven of their eight home games this season and start the game as the bookies’ favorite.

However, Northampton full-back Tommy Freeman says his side want to shake up their underdog mentality and the reputation of a style based primarily on run rugby.

“I had a conversation earlier with Oli, our sports psychologist, about the perception we give or give,” the 24-year-old England international said.

“We’ve always had the young card – we’ve got young players, promising players – and the narrative has to change. We are who we are and we’re physical.

“You’ve seen it over the last few weeks, how physical the strikers are.

“Maybe we get the underdog status too much. We’re trying to change the narrative so we’re the big dogs and that’s what we’re going to do.”

“We have to puff out our chests and tear them apart.”