Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
This English town isn't exactly the most tropical spot in the world, but its club delivers plenty of excitement and passion.
In a city famous for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate kicking to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues opt to retain possession.
Despite playing for a quintessentially English community, they exhibit a flair typical of the greatest French masters of champagne rugby.
Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the English top flight and advanced far in the continental tournament – defeated by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and ousted by the Irish province in a last-four clash before that.
They lead the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a manager.
“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “But as you age, you comprehend how much you love the game, and what the real world entails. I had a stint at a financial institution doing an internship. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you see what you possess and lack.”
Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a job at Northampton. Move forward several seasons and Dowson leads a team increasingly filled with national team players: prominent figures lined up for England versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, eventually, will assume the fly-half role.
Is the emergence of this remarkable group attributable to the club's environment, or is it chance?
“This is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a unit is definitely one of the reasons they are so tight and so talented.”
Dowson also cites Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by highly engaging people,” he notes. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my training methods, how I manage others.”
The team play appealing rugby, which proved literally true in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the Clermont XV defeated in the Champions Cup in April when the winger registered a three tries. He liked what he saw enough to go against the flow of English talent moving to France.
“A friend called me and remarked: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the funds for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for experience, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my mate informed me. That caught my attention. We met with him and his communication was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.
“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson comments the 20-year-old Henry Pollock provides a unique vitality. Has he coached a player similar? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Each person is individual but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s unafraid to be himself.”
The player's spectacular try against the Irish side last season showcased his exceptional talent, but a few of his expressive during matches actions have led to claims of cockiness.
“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Plus Henry’s not joking around constantly. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and great to have within the team.”
Hardly any directors of rugby would claim to have having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Vesty.
“Sam and I possess an interest about various topics,” he notes. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover all aspects, wants to know all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I feel like I’m the similar.
“We converse on many topics away from rugby: cinema, literature, concepts, art. When we met the Parisian club previously, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”
One more date in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s comeback with the Prem will be short-lived because the continental event kicks in shortly. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club travel to the following weekend.
“I’m not going to be overconfident to the extent to {