Northampton Coach Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
This English town may not be the most tropical destination globally, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of romance and adventure.
In a city famous for boot‑making, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors choose to run with the ball.
Despite embodying a quintessentially English location, they exhibit a flair associated with the best French practitioners of attacking rugby.
Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and progressed well in the European competition – losing to their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Leinster in a last-four clash previously.
They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to their West Country rivals on matchday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite games for multiple clubs in total, consistently aimed to be a trainer.
“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you realise how much you appreciate the game, and what the normal employment entails. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was challenging – you see what you possess and lack.”
Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a job at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a team increasingly crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, eventually, will assume the pivotal position.
Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?
“It's a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so tight and so gifted.”
Dowson also cites his predecessor, another predecessor at the club's home, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be guided by really interesting personalities,” he says. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my management style, how I manage individuals.”
Saints demonstrate appealing rugby, which proved literally true in the instance of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was a member of the Clermont XV overcome in the continental tournament in last season when the winger scored a three tries. The player was impressed to such an extent to go against the flow of English talent heading across the Channel.
“A friend rang me and remarked: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He wants a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my contact informed me. That interested me. We met with him and his communication was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.
“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be coached, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson states the young the flanker provides a particular enthusiasm. Has he coached anyone like him? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s unique but Pollock is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”
Pollock’s sensational try against the Irish side last season illustrated his unusual skill, but some of his demonstrative on-field behavior have brought claims of overconfidence.
“At times comes across as cocky in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Plus Henry’s not taking the piss all the time. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I feel sometimes it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and good fun within the team.”
Hardly any directors of rugby would describe themselves as having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Sam Vesty.
“We both share an interest around different things,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn each detail, aims to encounter new experiences, and I feel like I’m the same.
“We discuss numerous subjects beyond rugby: movies, literature, thoughts, art. When we met our French rivals last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”
A further fixture in Gall is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be short-lived because the Champions Cup kicks in shortly. The French side, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit a week later.
“I’m not going to be presumptuous enough to {