Northampton Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton is hardly the most exotic spot on the planet, but its club provides a great deal of romance and adventure.
In a place famous for shoe production, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues opt to keep ball in hand.
Even though representing a quintessentially English community, they showcase a panache synonymous with the best French masters of attacking rugby.
From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have secured the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.
They currently top the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, seeking a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, had long intended to be a trainer.
“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the real world entails. I had a stint at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”
Conversations with former mentors culminated in a job at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson guides a team ever more crammed with global stars: key individuals were selected for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's flawless campaign while the fly-half, in time, will take over the pivotal position.
Is the rise of this outstanding group attributable to the team's ethos, or is it luck?
“It's a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so skilled.”
Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a major effect on my career, my coaching, how I interact with people.”
The team demonstrate entertaining football, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The import was involved with the French club beaten in the European competition in last season when Freeman notched a triple. He admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of English talent heading across the Channel.
“A mate phoned me and remarked: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the money for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’
‘He desires experience, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my contact said. That intrigued us. We spoke to Belleau and his English was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.
“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and away from the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson says the 20-year-old the flanker provides a specific vitality. Has he encountered anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”
The player's sensational try against Leinster in the past campaign illustrated his exceptional ability, but various his animated in-game behavior have resulted in claims of cockiness.
“On occasion appears arrogant in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Pollock is not joking around constantly. Tactically he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and good fun to have around.”
Not many directors of rugby would describe themselves as having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.
“Together share an curiosity about diverse subjects,” he notes. “We run a book club. He aims to discover all aspects, aims to learn everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the similar.
“We discuss lots of topics beyond the game: films, books, concepts, culture. When we faced Stade [Français] previously, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”
One more date in the French nation is approaching: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament intervenes soon. The French side, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the South African team arrive at the following weekend.
“I won't be overconfident enough to {
