Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton is hardly the most exotic destination globally, but its rugby union team offers an abundance of excitement and passion.
In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under leader Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues opt to keep ball in hand.
Even though embodying a quintessentially English community, they exhibit a style typical of the best French practitioners of expansive play.
Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and gone deep in the European competition – losing to their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and eliminated by Leinster in a semi-final earlier.
They lead the league standings after four wins and a draw and visit Bristol on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, consistently aimed to be a coach.
“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the everyday life looks like. I had a stint at a financial institution doing work experience. You make the journey a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you have going for you.”
Discussions with former mentors resulted in a role at the Saints. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson manages a team increasingly crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a major effect as a substitute in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.
Is the development of this remarkable group due to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?
“It's a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a unit is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so talented.”
Dowson also mentions Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by really interesting people,” he says. “Jim had a major effect on my rugby life, my management style, how I deal with people.”
Saints play entertaining the game, which became obvious in the instance of their new signing. The import was a member of the French club defeated in the continental tournament in April when Freeman registered a three tries. The player liked what he saw sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars heading across the Channel.
“An associate phoned me and remarked: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘We don’t have funds for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He desires a fresh start, for the possibility to test himself,’ my friend informed me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Anthony and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.
“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the French league. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson states the 20-year-old Henry Pollock provides a unique enthusiasm. Has he coached an individual comparable? “Never,” Dowson responds. “All players are original but Pollock is different and unique in many ways. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”
Pollock’s breathtaking touchdown against their opponents in the past campaign illustrated his unusual skill, but a few of his expressive in-game behavior have resulted in allegations of overconfidence.
“He sometimes appears overconfident in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “And Henry’s not joking around constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and a positive influence to have around.”
Not many coaches would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Sam Vesty.
“We both have an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he says. “We run a literary circle. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn all there is, aims to encounter varied activities, and I believe I’m the same.
“We discuss many things beyond the game: cinema, books, concepts, art. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”
One more fixture in the French nation is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament kicks in shortly. The French side, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the South African team arrive at the following weekend.
“I refuse to be presumptuous to the extent to {