Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic location globally, but its squad provides plenty of excitement and passion.
In a place known for boot‑making, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors choose to run with the ball.
Despite playing for a distinctly UK town, they exhibit a flair typical of the greatest French practitioners of expansive play.
From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and advanced far in the continental tournament – beaten by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and ousted by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.
They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the just one without a loss, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 elite games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a trainer.
“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “But as you mature, you understand how much you love the rugby, and what the normal employment looks like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was challenging – you realise what you have going for you.”
Discussions with club legends resulted in a position at the Saints. Move forward a decade and Dowson leads a squad increasingly packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will inherit the No 10 jersey.
Is the emergence of this exceptional group due to the club's environment, or is it luck?
“This is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a collective is certainly one of the reasons they are so united and so talented.”
Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage individuals.”
The team execute entertaining rugby, which proved literally true in the example of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was a member of the opposing team beaten in the continental tournament in last season when Freeman registered a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style enough to go against the flow of UK players heading across the Channel.
“A mate rang me and stated: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no budget for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my contact told me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Anthony and his communication was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.
“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson says the 20-year-old Henry Pollock offers a unique vitality. Has he coached a player comparable? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are original but he is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be authentic.”
His breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side in the past campaign illustrated his exceptional skill, but a few of his demonstrative in-game actions have resulted in accusations of cockiness.
“At times appears arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Plus he's not joking around the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I believe sometimes it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”
Not many directors of rugby would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.
“Together share an inquisitiveness regarding different things,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He wants to see various elements, seeks to understand everything, desires to try new experiences, and I think I’m the alike.
“We talk about lots of things outside the sport: movies, books, concepts, art. When we played the Parisian club in the past season, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a quick look.”
A further date in the French nation is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament intervenes shortly. The French side, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the South African team visit a week later.
“I refuse to be presumptuous sufficiently to {