Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’

This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous location globally, but its squad provides an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a town known for shoe production, you would think punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold choose to retain possession.

Although playing for a distinctly UK community, they showcase a style synonymous with the best Gallic practitioners of expansive play.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have won the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – beaten by their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by the Irish province in a penultimate round previously.

They currently top the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and head to Bristol on matchday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, always planned to be a coach.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was difficult – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson manages a squad ever more crammed with internationals: key individuals started for the national side versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the fly-half, in time, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort because of the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It's a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a group is definitely one of the factors they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by really interesting people,” he says. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I deal with others.”

Northampton execute attractive the game, which became obvious in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the continental tournament in the spring when the winger scored a hat-trick. The player admired the style sufficiently to reverse the trend of UK players heading across the Channel.

“An associate called me and remarked: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s seeking a side,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We don’t have funds for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He wants experience, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate informed me. That interested me. We met with Belleau and his English was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old Henry Pollock brings a specific enthusiasm. Has he encountered a player like him? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s individual but Henry is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be himself.”

The player's breathtaking try against their opponents previously demonstrated his freakish skill, but a few of his demonstrative in-game antics have resulted in claims of arrogance.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Pollock is being serious constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s not a clown. I think at times it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence to have around.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.

“We both share an inquisitiveness regarding diverse subjects,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter varied activities, and I think I’m the alike.

“We discuss numerous things outside rugby: films, books, concepts, culture. When we faced the Parisian club previously, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”

Another fixture in the French nation is coming up: The Saints' comeback with the domestic league will be brief because the Champions Cup takes over next week. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club visit soon after.

“I refuse to be arrogant sufficiently to {