Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’

This English town is hardly the most tropical spot globally, but its club delivers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a place known for shoe production, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors opt to run with the ball.

Although representing a quintessentially English location, they display a style typical of the finest Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and progressed well in the Champions Cup – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They currently top the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and travel to their West Country rivals on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for multiple clubs altogether, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “But as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the normal employment looks like. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you realise what you have going for you.”

Conversations with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a position at Northampton. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad ever more filled with internationals: key individuals were selected for England facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect as a substitute in the national team's perfect autumn while the number ten, in time, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the emergence of this exceptional generation attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“It is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a unit is certainly one of the causes they are so united and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with others.”

Northampton execute appealing football, which became obvious in the case of Anthony Belleau. The import was part of the Clermont XV defeated in the Champions Cup in the spring when Freeman notched a hat-trick. The player liked what he saw sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars moving to France.

“A friend rang me and stated: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my mate informed me. That interested me. We met with Belleau and his communication was excellent, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be driven, to be in a new environment and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging the flanker provides a specific enthusiasm. Has he encountered a player similar? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but he is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side last season showcased his exceptional talent, but some of his demonstrative in-game antics have resulted in accusations of overconfidence.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “And Pollock is being serious the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s no fool. I think at times it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and great to have to have around.”

Not many coaches would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“We both have an curiosity regarding various topics,” he notes. “We have a book club. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I believe I’m the same.

“We converse on lots of topics outside the game: cinema, reading, ideas, creativity. When we faced Stade [Français] previously, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more match in Gall is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be short-lived because the continental event kicks in next week. The French side, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the South African team travel to the following weekend.

“I refuse to be presumptuous sufficiently to {