Northampton Coach Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic destination in the world, but its squad delivers plenty of thrills and drama.
In a place known for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate punting to be the Saints’ primary strategy. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to keep ball in hand.
Although embodying a typically British community, they exhibit a style associated with the best Gallic practitioners of expansive play.
Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have won the English top flight and progressed well in the European competition – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.
They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and head to their West Country rivals on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a manager.
“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “But as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you see what you possess and lack.”
Talks with former mentors culminated in a position at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson guides a squad ever more crammed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for England facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a major effect from the replacements in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, eventually, will inherit the pivotal position.
Is the development of this exceptional generation due to the team's ethos, or is it luck?
“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a unit is certainly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so talented.”
Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “He had a big impact on my career, my training methods, how I interact with people.”
The team play entertaining football, which proved literally true in the example of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was involved with the opposing team beaten in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger registered a hat-trick. The player admired the style enough to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.
“A friend called me and stated: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We don’t have budget for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He desires a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my friend said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with him and his English was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.
“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be coached, to be driven, to be in a new environment and away from the French league. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson says the young Henry Pollock provides a unique vitality. Has he coached an individual like him? “No,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s original but Henry is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”
The player's breathtaking score against their opponents previously illustrated his unusual ability, but a few of his expressive on-field actions have led to accusations of overconfidence.
“At times appears cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore he's not joking around all the time. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”
Not many directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Vesty.
“Sam and I share an inquisitiveness about diverse subjects,” he says. “We have a book club. He wants to see everything, wants to know each detail, aims to encounter varied activities, and I believe I’m the same.
“We converse on many subjects outside the sport: films, reading, concepts, art. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”
A further match in the French nation is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be short-lived because the European tournament kicks in shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on matchday before the South African team travel to the following weekend.
“I refuse to be overconfident sufficiently to {
