Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous destination in the world, but its club delivers an abundance of romance and adventure.
In a town renowned for shoe production, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors choose to keep ball in hand.
Although embodying a quintessentially English town, they display a panache associated with the greatest French practitioners of attacking rugby.
From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – beaten by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash earlier.
They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for multiple clubs in total, always planned to be a trainer.
“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “However as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment looks like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you do and don’t have.”
Conversations with former mentors resulted in a role at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson guides a roster increasingly packed with global stars: key individuals started for the national side facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s successful series while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.
Is the development of this remarkable generation attributable to the club's environment, or is it chance?
“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a unit is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”
Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful people,” he notes. “Mallinder had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I interact with people.”
The team execute appealing the game, which proved literally true in the example of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was part of the opposing team beaten in the continental tournament in last season when Freeman registered a hat-trick. The player admired the style enough to buck the pattern of English talent joining Top 14 sides.
“An associate phoned me and said: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the funds for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’
‘He desires new challenges, for the possibility to test himself,’ my contact informed me. That interested me. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.
“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock brings a particular energy. Has he coached an individual comparable? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are unique but he is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”
The player's breathtaking touchdown against their opponents previously demonstrated his unusual skill, but some of his animated on-field behavior have brought allegations of arrogance.
“He sometimes comes across as overconfident in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's being serious constantly. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s a smart player. I believe on occasion it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and great to have within the team.”
Few coaches would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Sam Vesty.
“We both share an interest around various topics,” he explains. “We have a literary circle. He wants to see all aspects, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter different things, and I feel like I’m the similar.
“We converse on numerous topics outside the game: movies, literature, thoughts, creativity. When we played the Parisian club previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”
One more date in France is coming up: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be brief because the continental event takes over shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.
“I’m not going to be overconfident sufficiently to {
