Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
This English town is hardly the most glamorous location on the planet, but its club offers an abundance of excitement and passion.
In a town known for boot‑making, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's modus operandi. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues opt to keep ball in hand.
Despite playing for a typically British location, they display a style associated with the greatest French masters of expansive play.
After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the English top flight and progressed well in the European competition – beaten by a French side in last season’s final and ousted by Leinster in a semi-final before that.
They lead the Prem table after four wins and a draw and travel to Bristol on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, had long intended to be a coach.
“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “However as you mature, you comprehend how much you love the rugby, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing work experience. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you do and don’t have.”
Conversations with club legends led to a job at Northampton. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson leads a team ever more packed with internationals: key individuals were selected for the national side facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s successful series while the fly-half, in time, will assume the No 10 jersey.
Is the rise of this remarkable cohort because of the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?
“It is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so talented.”
Dowson also cites Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting individuals,” he notes. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my coaching, how I manage people.”
The team play appealing football, which was clearly evident in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the European competition in last season when Tommy Freeman registered a hat-trick. The player admired the style to such an extent to buck the pattern of English talent joining Top 14 sides.
“An associate phoned me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘We don’t have money for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He desires a fresh start, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my mate said. That intrigued us. We spoke to Belleau and his communication was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.
“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the Top 14. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson states the 20-year-old the flanker brings a specific energy. Has he encountered an individual like him? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s individual but Pollock is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”
Pollock’s breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side previously demonstrated his exceptional talent, but a few of his demonstrative on-field antics have brought accusations of cockiness.
“He sometimes seems arrogant in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Pollock is being serious the whole time. Tactically he has input – he’s no fool. I think sometimes it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have within the team.”
Not many coaches would claim to have sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with his co-coach.
“We both share an inquisitiveness regarding various topics,” he notes. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore all aspects, seeks to understand everything, wants to experience different things, and I believe I’m the similar.
“We converse on lots of subjects beyond rugby: cinema, reading, ideas, culture. When we met our French rivals in the past season, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”
Another fixture in Gall is looming: The Saints' return with the English competition will be short-lived because the continental event takes over next week. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Bulls travel to the following weekend.
“I refuse to be overconfident sufficiently to {
