Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton is hardly the most glamorous location in the world, but its club provides plenty of thrills and drama.
In a place renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors opt to retain possession.
Despite representing a typically British community, they exhibit a flair synonymous with the greatest French exponents of expansive play.
Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and gone deep in the European competition – losing to their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and ousted by Leinster in a penultimate round before that.
They currently top the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, seeking a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for multiple clubs combined, had long intended to be a manager.
“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “Yet as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the sport, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at a financial institution doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was tough – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”
Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a position at Northampton. Move forward several seasons and Dowson leads a squad increasingly packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will inherit the No 10 jersey.
Is the emergence of this remarkable generation attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?
“It's a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a group is certainly one of the causes they are so tight and so skilled.”
Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my career, my management style, how I manage others.”
Saints demonstrate appealing football, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was involved with the opposing team beaten in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman notched a three tries. Belleau admired the style enough to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.
“A mate called me and remarked: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’
‘He desires a fresh start, for the chance to test himself,’ my friend said. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his English was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.
“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be trained, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson comments the emerging Henry Pollock offers a unique energy. Has he encountered an individual similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”
The player's spectacular try against Leinster last season illustrated his freakish skill, but some of his expressive during matches behavior have led to accusations of arrogance.
“He sometimes comes across as arrogant in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “And Pollock is being serious all the time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I think on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun in the squad.”
Not many coaches would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Sam Vesty.
“We both possess an curiosity regarding various topics,” he notes. “We have a reading group. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand everything, aims to encounter different things, and I think I’m the similar.
“We converse on lots of things beyond the game: movies, literature, concepts, art. When we faced our French rivals previously, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”
Another date in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be temporary because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the border region, are up first on the coming weekend before the Bulls travel to the following weekend.
“I refuse to be arrogant sufficiently to {
