Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
Northampton is hardly the most exotic spot globally, but its squad offers an abundance of thrills and drama.
In a place famous for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under leader Phil Dowson, the team in green, black and gold opt to retain possession.
Although playing for a distinctly UK community, they display a panache typical of the greatest Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.
Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and progressed well in the Champions Cup – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash previously.
They currently top the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and visit Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite matches for various teams in total, had long intended to be a manager.
“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you love the rugby, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing an internship. You do the commute a few times, and it was challenging – you grasp what you have going for you.”
Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder resulted in a position at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson guides a squad progressively filled with internationals: prominent figures were selected for the national side against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the fly-half role.
Is the rise of this exceptional cohort because of the team's ethos, or is it fortune?
“It is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so gifted.”
Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging individuals,” he says. “Jim had a significant influence on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with individuals.”
Northampton execute entertaining rugby, which became obvious in the case of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was a member of the French club overcome in the European competition in last season when Freeman registered a triple. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to buck the pattern of British stars moving to France.
“An associate called me and remarked: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We don’t have money for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He wants experience, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my friend said. That intrigued us. We spoke to him and his language skills was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.
“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson says the young the flanker provides a particular energy. Has he encountered an individual similar? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Each person is individual but he is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s not afraid to be himself.”
Pollock’s spectacular touchdown against the Irish side last season showcased his freakish skill, but various his expressive in-game behavior have brought accusations of arrogance.
“At times comes across as arrogant in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Plus Henry’s not joking around the whole time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I believe sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”
Hardly any coaches would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with his co-coach.
“We both have an curiosity around diverse subjects,” he notes. “We maintain a reading group. He desires to explore everything, wants to know all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I feel like I’m the same.
“We discuss many subjects away from the sport: movies, books, concepts, creativity. When we played the Parisian club previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”
A further fixture in the French nation is looming: The Saints' comeback with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on matchday before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.
“I’m not going to be arrogant enough to {
