“I’ve been locked in the gym for five months waiting for this day, and I’m so happy I’ve come through it,” said the former England Sevens star.

“I was extremely nervous before the match, but touch wood I’ve not had any problems with the injury. It’s a bit sore, but then that’s what I’d expect, so we’ll have a look at it tomorrow and see where we are from there.”

Having powered over for the Falcons’ second try of the night midway through the first half after a length-of-the-field counter attack, Dowson said: “It was an awesome feeling to get over the try line in my first game back, but as a team we’re just disappointed we didn’t win a game which we felt we should have.”

One blot on Dowson’s copybook on the night was the yellow card he picked up from referee Dave Pearson for fisticuffs in the ruck, admitting afterwards: “It was pretty stupid and I let myself and my team mates down by getting involved in a silly scrap.

“John Fletcher and Peter Walton have been getting in to me about my discipline, and I can’t excuse my actions. I need to be a bigger man than that out on the field, but after five months out there was a lot of frustration boiling up inside me. Hopefully that’s the end of it now, and I can just get on with my rugby and keep a cool head.”

With Dowson having spent the last five months with the BBC Radio Newcastle commentary team summarising the Falcons’ matches, the prospect now looms large for a first team return for the former Sedbergh pupil.

“Being involved with the BBC has been fantastic during my time out, and I owe a lot to the commentator Kevin Williams for allowing me to come and have a go,” he said.

“It was important I had something to do on match-day because it’s so frustrating not being able to play, so doing the commentary with Kevin and Ian Smith has been a lot of fun.”

As for his chances of a first team return, Dowson said: “That’s up to John Fletcher and Peter Walton really, but I’m desperate to play.

“I’m not arrogant enough to think I can just walk back in to the team, especially after the way the boys played in France last weekend when they really fronted up. I have to earn my place, and hopefully tonight was the first step on that road.”

Dowson’s try was one of three Newcastle scores on the night as the Falcons ended their Guinness A League campaign with a one-point loss to the Tykes.

Earlier fullback Ollie Phillips had scored in the right corner with Dowson involved in the build-up, while prop Johnny Williams grabbed the third try for the hosts with a textbook rolling maul try.

Leeds’ tries came through Tom Rock and Scott Armstrong, with fly half Tom Whitaker striking two late penalties to give the Yorkshiremen the narrowest of victories.