Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
This English town isn't exactly the most tropical destination in the world, but its squad provides a great deal of excitement and passion.
In a city known for footwear manufacturing, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues choose to run with the ball.
Even though playing for a distinctly UK town, they display a style associated with the best French exponents of champagne rugby.
From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and gone deep in the continental tournament – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Leinster in a last-four clash previously.
They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Bristol on Saturday as the just one without a loss, aiming for a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 premier matches for various teams altogether, consistently aimed to be a manager.
“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “Yet as you get older, you realise how much you love the sport, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was difficult – you realise what you do and don’t have.”
Conversations with former mentors culminated in a job at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson manages a squad ever more crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the national side facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, down the line, will inherit the pivotal position.
Is the development of this exceptional generation because of the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?
“It's a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is certainly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so gifted.”
Dowson also mentions his predecessor, another predecessor at the club's home, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be coached by really interesting personalities,” he says. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage people.”
The team demonstrate appealing football, which became obvious in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The import was part of the French club defeated in the European competition in April when Freeman scored a triple. Belleau liked what he saw enough to buck the pattern of UK players moving to France.
“A mate called me and said: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘We lack the money for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’
‘He wants experience, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my friend said. That caught my attention. We met with Anthony and his language skills was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.
“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be coached, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the French league. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock provides a particular energy. Has he encountered an individual similar? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is individual but Henry is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”
The player's breathtaking try against their opponents last season illustrated his freakish talent, but various his animated during matches behavior have brought claims of cockiness.
“At times appears arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Plus Pollock is not joking around constantly. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and great to have to have around.”
Hardly any 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.
“We both share an curiosity around diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He aims to discover various elements, wants to know everything, wants to experience varied activities, and I feel like I’m the same.
“We converse on many topics away from rugby: movies, reading, ideas, culture. When we met Stade [Français] in the past season, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”
One more date in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' comeback with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup kicks in soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the Bulls travel to soon after.
“I won't be arrogant enough to {