Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
This English town isn't exactly the most tropical destination in the world, but its club provides a great deal of romance and adventure.
In a city known for shoe production, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.
Although embodying a typically British town, they showcase a panache associated with the best Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.
Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and progressed well in the continental tournament – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by the Irish province in a penultimate round previously.
They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit Ashton Gate on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a trainer.
“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “However as you age, you comprehend how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the real world is like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing an internship. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you see what you do and don’t have.”
Talks with former mentors led to a role at Northampton. Move forward several seasons and Dowson leads a squad ever more packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the national side versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the fly-half, down the line, will take over the fly-half role.
Is the rise of this outstanding cohort attributable to the club's environment, or is it chance?
“It's a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so tight and so skilled.”
Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I deal with people.”
Northampton play attractive rugby, which became obvious in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the French club defeated in the European competition in the spring when Freeman scored a three tries. The player admired the style enough to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.
“A mate called me and said: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the funds for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He wants experience, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact said. That intrigued us. We spoke to Belleau and his English was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.
“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be trained, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson comments the 20-year-old Pollock offers a specific energy. Has he coached anyone like him? “No,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”
Pollock’s breathtaking touchdown against their opponents last season illustrated his unusual ability, but a few of his demonstrative during matches actions have brought allegations of overconfidence.
“At times appears overconfident in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Plus Pollock is not taking the piss constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I think sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”
Few managers would admit to having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Vesty.
“Together have an interest about different things,” he says. “We maintain a book club. He wants to see various elements, seeks to understand each detail, aims to encounter new experiences, and I feel like I’m the alike.
“We converse on lots of subjects away from the sport: cinema, reading, thoughts, art. When we met Stade [Français] previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”
A further date in France is approaching: The Saints' return with the English competition will be short-lived because the continental event takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the border region, are the opening fixture on matchday before the South African team travel to soon after.
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