Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton is hardly the most exotic destination globally, but its rugby union team offers plenty of thrills and drama.
In a place famous for shoe production, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's primary strategy. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors opt to keep ball in hand.
Even though embodying a typically British location, they exhibit a style typical of the finest Gallic exponents of attacking rugby.
Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and eliminated by Leinster in a last-four clash previously.
They currently top the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Bristol on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, had long intended to be a manager.
“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you get older, you realise how much you love the rugby, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was difficult – you realise what you do and don’t have.”
Conversations with club legends resulted in a role at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson guides a squad ever more filled with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the Red Rose against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, in time, will assume the No 10 jersey.
Is the development of this remarkable generation because of the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?
“This is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so tight and so skilled.”
Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting individuals,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I deal with others.”
Northampton play appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team overcome in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman notched a hat-trick. Belleau was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of English talent heading across the Channel.
“A mate rang me and stated: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We don’t have budget for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He wants a fresh start, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my mate said. That caught my attention. We met with Belleau and his English was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.
“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and beyond the Top 14. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson comments the 20-year-old Pollock brings a unique energy. Has he coached an individual comparable? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is original but Henry is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be authentic.”
Pollock’s sensational score against their opponents previously illustrated his exceptional talent, but various his animated during matches antics have resulted in claims of overconfidence.
“He sometimes appears overconfident in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's being serious constantly. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I believe at times it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and great to have within the team.”
Few coaches would admit to having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.
“Sam and I possess an interest about various topics,” he says. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I feel like I’m the similar.
“We talk about many things outside rugby: films, books, ideas, creativity. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”
One more fixture in Gall is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be short-lived because the continental event takes over soon. The French side, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on Sunday week before the Bulls visit a week later.
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