Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous location in the world, but its squad delivers plenty of excitement and passion.
In a city renowned for shoe production, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues opt to run with the ball.
Although playing for a distinctly UK community, they showcase a style typical of the greatest Gallic practitioners of expansive play.
From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and advanced far in the European competition – defeated by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and ousted by Leinster in a semi-final before that.
They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight games for multiple clubs altogether, had long intended to be a coach.
“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “But as you age, you realise how much you love the sport, and what the real world entails. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing an internship. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you have going for you.”
Discussions with former mentors resulted in a job at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson manages a squad increasingly crammed with internationals: prominent figures were selected for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a major effect from the replacements in England’s flawless campaign while Fin Smith, eventually, will assume the fly-half role.
Is the rise of this remarkable group attributable to the club's environment, or is it luck?
“It is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so tight and so gifted.”
Dowson also mentions Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he notes. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with people.”
Northampton demonstrate appealing the game, which was clearly evident in the instance of their new signing. The import was a member of the opposing team beaten in the continental tournament in last season when the winger registered a three tries. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.
“A mate called me and said: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We lack the budget for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He wants experience, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact said. That intrigued us. We met with him and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.
“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson says the 20-year-old Pollock brings a specific energy. Has he encountered a player comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”
Pollock’s breathtaking try against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his exceptional talent, but some of his expressive in-game antics have brought allegations of arrogance.
“At times comes across as arrogant in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Plus Henry’s not joking around the whole time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I believe at times it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”
Not many directors of rugby would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Sam Vesty.
“Sam and I possess an curiosity regarding different things,” he explains. “We have a literary circle. He desires to explore various elements, wants to know everything, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the similar.
“We discuss numerous topics outside the sport: movies, literature, ideas, culture. When we met our French rivals previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a quick look.”
A further match in France is coming up: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be brief because the continental event intervenes next week. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the South African team visit soon after.
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