Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous destination in the world, but its club provides an abundance of thrills and drama.
In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. However under leader Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold prefer to retain possession.
Despite representing a quintessentially English town, they exhibit a panache synonymous with the greatest Gallic practitioners of expansive play.
From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have secured the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – losing to their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.
They currently top the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Ashton Gate on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 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. “However as you get older, you realise how much you love the sport, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing a trial period. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you have going for you.”
Discussions with club legends culminated in a position at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson leads a roster increasingly packed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the Red Rose facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a major effect off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will take over the No 10 jersey.
Is the rise of this remarkable generation due to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?
“It's a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so tight and so gifted.”
Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be mentored by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my career, my coaching, how I deal with people.”
Saints play appealing football, which proved literally true in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the French club overcome in the Champions Cup in the spring when Freeman registered a three tries. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of English talent moving to France.
“A friend rang me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the budget for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my friend told me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his English was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.
“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and outside the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson states the young Henry Pollock provides a unique vitality. Does he know a player like him? “Never,” Dowson replies. “All players are individual but he is different and unique in many ways. He’s fearless to be authentic.”
His breathtaking touchdown against their opponents in the past campaign demonstrated his unusual ability, but various his animated on-field behavior have led to claims of arrogance.
“At times seems cocky in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “And Pollock is being serious the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun to have around.”
Not many directors of rugby would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Sam Vesty.
“Sam and I possess an curiosity about diverse subjects,” he notes. “We run a literary circle. He wants to see all aspects, aims to learn each detail, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the same.
“We talk about many topics beyond the sport: cinema, literature, ideas, culture. When we met Stade [Français] last year, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”
A further fixture in France is coming up: The Saints' return with the Prem will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on matchday before the Bulls visit the following weekend.
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