Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
This English town isn't exactly the most exotic location in the world, but its club delivers a great deal of excitement and passion.
In a town renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Saints’ main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues choose to retain possession.
Although representing a distinctly UK community, they display a panache associated with the finest Gallic practitioners of expansive play.
Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have won the English top flight and gone deep in the Champions Cup – beaten by a French side in last season’s final and ousted by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.
They lead the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Ashton Gate on matchday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, always planned to be a manager.
“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “Yet as you mature, you understand how much you love the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was tough – you see what you possess and lack.”
Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a position at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson manages a squad increasingly crammed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the Red Rose against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, eventually, will assume the fly-half role.
Is the rise of this outstanding group attributable to the club's environment, or is it luck?
“This is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a collective is definitely one of the reasons they are so tight and so skilled.”
Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a major influence. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he adds. “Jim had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I interact with others.”
Saints play attractive rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was part of the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman notched a triple. The player liked what he saw sufficiently to reverse the trend of British stars joining Top 14 sides.
“A mate called me and remarked: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He desires new challenges, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my friend said. That intrigued us. We spoke to Belleau and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.
“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson says the emerging the flanker offers a unique enthusiasm. Does he know a player similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s individual but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s fearless to be himself.”
Pollock’s sensational touchdown against their opponents in the past campaign illustrated his freakish skill, but some of his demonstrative during matches actions have resulted in claims of arrogance.
“At times comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Henry’s not joking around the whole time. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I believe on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and great to have to have around.”
Hardly any managers would admit to sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with Vesty.
“Sam and I share an inquisitiveness around different things,” he notes. “We run a literary circle. He desires to explore all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience different things, and I think I’m the alike.
“We talk about lots of topics beyond the game: cinema, books, ideas, culture. When we played Stade [Français] previously, Notre-Dame was under renovation, 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 continental event takes over next week. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit a week later.
“I refuse to be arrogant sufficiently to {
