Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
Northampton may not be the most tropical spot on the planet, but its rugby union team offers an abundance of thrills and drama.
In a place renowned for footwear manufacturing, you might expect boot work to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold prefer to retain possession.
Even though representing a quintessentially English location, they display a style typical of the best French masters of champagne rugby.
From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and advanced far in the continental tournament – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.
They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and head to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite fixtures for various teams combined, had long intended to be a trainer.
“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you love the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at a financial institution doing a trial period. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was tough – you see what you do and don’t have.”
Talks with former mentors led to a position at the Saints. Move forward eight years and Dowson leads a squad ever more packed with national team players: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the national side versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s successful series while the fly-half, in time, will take over the pivotal position.
Is the rise of this outstanding generation due to the team's ethos, or is it luck?
“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so skilled.”
Dowson also cites his predecessor, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be guided by highly engaging personalities,” he notes. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my management style, how I manage individuals.”
Northampton play appealing rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was involved with the opposing team overcome in the European competition in the spring when the winger registered a three tries. The player admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars heading across the Channel.
“A friend phoned me and stated: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘There's no funds for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for experience, for the chance to test himself,’ my friend said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his language skills was incredible, 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 driven, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson says the emerging the flanker provides a unique vitality. Does he know an individual like him? “No,” Dowson responds. “All players are individual but he is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”
His spectacular try against their opponents last season illustrated his freakish talent, but some of his expressive in-game actions have led to accusations of cockiness.
“At times appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore he's being serious constantly. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and a positive influence to have around.”
Not many directors of rugby would admit to sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Vesty.
“Together possess an interest around different things,” he explains. “We have a reading group. He desires to explore various elements, seeks to understand everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the similar.
“We discuss numerous topics outside the game: films, reading, thoughts, culture. When we played the Parisian club previously, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”
A further match in France is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament kicks in shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the border region, are up first on matchday before the South African team arrive at a week later.
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