Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
Northampton may not be the most tropical location on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of romance and adventure.
In a city renowned for shoe production, you would think punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.
Even though embodying a distinctly UK community, they display a panache associated with the best Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.
Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – beaten by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a semi-final earlier.
They sit atop the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and head to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, had long intended to be a manager.
“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you love the game, and what the real world is like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you have going for you.”
Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a position at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a team ever more crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's successful series while the number ten, eventually, will inherit the No 10 jersey.
Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort because of the team's ethos, or is it fortune?
“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a collective is definitely one of the reasons they are so tight and so talented.”
Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting individuals,” he notes. “He had a big impact on my career, my management style, how I manage people.”
Saints play appealing football, which proved literally true in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was a member of the French club defeated in the European competition in the spring when Tommy Freeman scored a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to go against the flow of English talent heading across the Channel.
“A friend called me and said: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He wants a fresh start, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my friend informed me. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.
“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson says the 20-year-old the flanker provides a unique energy. Has he coached an individual similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but he is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”
His spectacular try against Leinster in the past campaign illustrated his unusual talent, but some of his animated in-game antics have resulted in allegations of arrogance.
“He sometimes appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Pollock is not taking the piss constantly. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and good fun to have around.”
Not many directors of rugby would admit to having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with his co-coach.
“Together possess an interest regarding different things,” he notes. “We have a reading group. He wants to see all aspects, wants to know each detail, desires to try different things, and I feel like I’m the similar.
“We discuss many topics beyond the sport: films, reading, ideas, culture. When we met the Parisian club previously, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”
One more date in Gall is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be short-lived because the European tournament takes over soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Bulls visit soon after.
“I’m not going to be arrogant enough to {
