Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical destination on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of romance and adventure.
In a city renowned for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under leader Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors opt to keep ball in hand.
Even though playing for a distinctly UK community, they exhibit a style typical of the best Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.
After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and progressed well in the Champions Cup – beaten by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final earlier.
They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and head to Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, had long intended to be a trainer.
“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you age, you realise how much you love the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”
Conversations with club legends culminated in a role at Northampton. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson leads a squad progressively filled with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a major effect from the replacements in England’s successful series while the fly-half, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.
Is the emergence of this exceptional group because of the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?
“It is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a group is definitely one of the reasons they are so tight and so skilled.”
Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting people,” he notes. “He had a major effect on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with individuals.”
Saints demonstrate attractive football, which became obvious in the example of their new signing. The import was a member of the French club beaten in the continental tournament in last season when the winger notched a hat-trick. The player admired the style to such an extent to go against the flow of English talent moving to France.
“A friend phoned me and said: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We lack the money for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact told me. That interested me. We met with him and his communication was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.
“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be driven, to be in a new environment and outside the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson comments the emerging Henry Pollock provides a specific vitality. Has he encountered an individual similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”
His breathtaking try against their opponents last season demonstrated his exceptional skill, but various his animated on-field behavior have led to allegations of arrogance.
“On occasion comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “And Henry’s not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I think on occasion it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have within the team.”
Not many managers would admit to sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.
“Together have an curiosity regarding various topics,” he says. “We run a book club. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand everything, desires to try different things, and I think I’m the same.
“We discuss lots of topics outside rugby: films, literature, thoughts, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”
One more match in France is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the Prem will be short-lived because the European tournament intervenes soon. Pau, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club arrive at the following weekend.
“I’m not going to be arrogant to the extent to {