Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
Northampton may not be the most exotic spot on the planet, but its rugby union team provides plenty of excitement and passion.
In a town renowned for boot‑making, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's main approach. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.
Even though representing a quintessentially English location, they showcase a flair typical of the finest French masters of expansive play.
Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the Premiership and progressed well in the European competition – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round earlier.
They lead the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and travel to their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight games for various teams combined, always planned to be a trainer.
“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “Yet as you get older, you realise how much you love the sport, and what the real world is like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing work experience. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”
Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a job at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a squad progressively crammed with national team players: key individuals started for England against the New Zealand two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a significant influence from the replacements in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, down the line, will take over the No 10 jersey.
Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort due to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?
“It is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so tight and so talented.”
Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging individuals,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my training methods, how I manage people.”
The team execute appealing football, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team defeated in the continental tournament in the spring when the winger scored a three tries. He admired the style enough to buck the pattern of English talent heading across the Channel.
“An associate rang me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my contact told me. That intrigued us. We spoke to Belleau and his English was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.
“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be coached, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson says the emerging Henry Pollock provides a particular vitality. Does he know anyone comparable? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Each person is unique but he is different and unique in many ways. He’s unafraid to be himself.”
The player's sensational try against the Irish side last season demonstrated his exceptional skill, but a few of his demonstrative in-game actions have led to accusations of overconfidence.
“On occasion comes across as cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore he's being serious constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s no fool. I think on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and a positive influence in the squad.”
Not many coaches would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Sam Vesty.
“We both have an interest regarding various topics,” he says. “We run a book club. He wants to see all aspects, seeks to understand everything, aims to encounter varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.
“We discuss numerous topics away from the sport: cinema, books, thoughts, creativity. When we met Stade [Français] in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”
Another match in Gall is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. The French side, in the vicinity of the border region, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.
“I’m not going to be presumptuous enough to {