Dowson started at No.8 in England's 13-6 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on the opening weekend of this year's Six Nations.

678 Media, which Dowson started in 2008 while playing for Newcastle, takes it name from the three positions he has played at club level and is a supplier of EFI proofing and Tecco media as well as Epson and Canon printers and inks.

According to Dowson, now a star performer in the Northampton Saints back row, with rugby there is "always another opportunity to get back on track immediately" – unlike print.

"When sales are slow, it sometimes feels that you are banging on doors and getting nowhere. But I am confident things will begin to shift and I am hoping that we will be in a good position to take advantage," he added.

Dowson likens 678 Media's fight for its place in the print sector to his debut against the Scots, when England's victory was built on the team's courage and commitment in defence.

"You could say that we are just defending stoically at the moment. Making sure we don’t get behind. But there will be other days when we are on the front foot and we will have the opportunity to score lots of points and make lots of sales," he said.

Going forward, Dowson has pinpointed four-staff 678 Media as a future profession option once his rugby career comes to an end.

He said: "Ideally it would be an option when I finish playing. Having said that, we are going to have to generate major growth in order for that to happen, which is of course what we are focusing on."