Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’

Northampton is hardly the most tropical spot in the world, but its club offers a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a city famous for shoe production, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors prefer to keep ball in hand.

Although embodying a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a panache associated with the best French practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and knocked out by Leinster in a last-four clash previously.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and travel to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, had long intended to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “However as you age, you understand how much you love the game, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You travel to work a few times, and it was challenging – you realise what you have going for you.”

Talks with former mentors resulted in a position at the Saints. Fast-forward eight years and Dowson manages a squad ever more filled with global stars: prominent figures were selected for the Red Rose facing the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, down the line, will inherit the fly-half role.

Is the emergence of this exceptional group due to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so united and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by exceptionally insightful people,” he adds. “Jim had a big impact on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage people.”

Northampton demonstrate entertaining football, which was clearly evident in the instance of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was a member of the French club beaten in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman registered a hat-trick. The player admired the style sufficiently to reverse the trend of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate rang me and said: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘There's no money for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my contact informed me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his communication was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and beyond the French league. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Henry Pollock offers a particular enthusiasm. Does he know anyone comparable? “No,” Dowson replies. “Each person is individual but Pollock is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

The player's spectacular score against Leinster previously demonstrated his unusual talent, but some of his expressive on-field actions have led to claims of overconfidence.

“On occasion seems overconfident in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “And Henry’s not joking around all the time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I believe on occasion it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and good fun to have around.”

Hardly any managers would describe themselves as having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Sam Vesty.

“Sam and I have an interest regarding diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He aims to discover everything, seeks to understand all there is, desires to try different things, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We discuss numerous subjects beyond the sport: films, reading, ideas, creativity. When we played Stade [Français] in the past season, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”

A further date in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s comeback with the Prem will be brief because the Champions Cup intervenes shortly. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the South African team visit a week later.

“I’m not going to be arrogant enough to {