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

Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous destination in the world, but its club provides a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a town famous for shoe production, you would think kicking to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors opt to retain possession.

Despite embodying a quintessentially English town, they showcase a panache associated with the finest Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the domestic league and progressed well in the continental tournament – defeated by 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 travel to Bristol on matchday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 elite games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, had long intended to be a coach.

“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you realise how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment is like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was tough – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with club legends resulted in a job at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a roster ever more crammed with national team players: prominent figures started for the Red Rose facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s successful series while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this outstanding cohort attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It is a mix of each,” states Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a unit is definitely one of the causes they are so tight and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be guided by really interesting people,” he says. “Jim had a major effect on my career, my management style, how I deal with people.”

Saints play entertaining football, which was clearly evident in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team defeated in the continental tournament in the spring when Tommy Freeman scored a triple. The player admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars heading across the Channel.

“A mate rang me and stated: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact informed me. That interested me. We met with Belleau and his English was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the 20-year-old Pollock provides a unique energy. Has he coached anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson responds. “Everyone’s original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

His spectacular touchdown against the Irish side last season demonstrated his exceptional skill, but various his animated on-field behavior have resulted in accusations of arrogance.

“At times seems arrogant in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “And Pollock is not joking around all the time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I feel on occasion it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have in the squad.”

Hardly any managers would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“We both share an inquisitiveness about diverse subjects,” he says. “We run a literary circle. He aims to discover various elements, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try new experiences, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We converse on lots of things away from rugby: films, books, concepts, art. When we faced our French rivals previously, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

Another match in Gall is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be brief because the continental event takes over next week. The French side, in the shadow of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the Bulls travel to a week later.

“I refuse to be overconfident enough to {