Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous location globally, but its club delivers plenty of excitement and passion.
In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors choose to run with the ball.
Despite representing a typically British town, they display a flair synonymous with the finest Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.
After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to a French side in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final previously.
They currently top the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and travel to Ashton Gate on matchday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier games for various teams altogether, had long intended to be a manager.
“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “However as you mature, you realise how much you love the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing work experience. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was difficult – you realise what you have going for you.”
Discussions with former mentors led to a job at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson manages a team increasingly packed with global stars: prominent figures were selected for England against the All Blacks two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, in time, will take over the pivotal position.
Is the rise of this exceptional group because of the team's ethos, or is it chance?
“It's a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is certainly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so skilled.”
Dowson also cites his predecessor, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by highly engaging individuals,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with individuals.”
Saints demonstrate entertaining the game, which was clearly evident in the example of their new signing. The Frenchman was a member of the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in the spring when Tommy Freeman notched a three tries. He liked what he saw enough to go against the flow of UK players heading across the Channel.
“A mate called me and remarked: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the budget for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He desires experience, for the possibility to test himself,’ my contact told me. That intrigued us. We spoke to him and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a funny side.
“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson says the young the flanker offers a specific enthusiasm. Has he encountered a player comparable? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is individual but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”
His breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his freakish talent, but some of his expressive on-field behavior have led to claims of overconfidence.
“He sometimes appears overconfident in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “And Henry’s not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I feel on occasion it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and good fun in the squad.”
Not many managers would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Sam Vesty.
“We both possess an interest around diverse subjects,” he notes. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, wants to know all there is, aims to encounter different things, and I feel like I’m the same.
“We discuss many things beyond the game: films, reading, ideas, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”
A further date in France is looming: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be short-lived because the continental event takes over shortly. The French side, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.
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