Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical location globally, but its squad provides a great deal of romance and adventure.
In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. However under leader Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues opt to run with the ball.
Although playing for a distinctly UK location, they display a style synonymous with the best Gallic exponents of champagne rugby.
After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the English top flight and advanced far in the continental tournament – beaten by a French side in last season’s final and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.
They sit atop the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and travel to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 elite matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, always planned to be a trainer.
“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “Yet as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the sport, and what the real world is like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was difficult – you realise what you possess and lack.”
Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson manages a roster progressively crammed with national team players: key individuals started for England versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a significant influence from the replacements in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, down the line, will inherit the fly-half role.
Is the rise of this remarkable group because of the team's ethos, or is it luck?
“It's a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so gifted.”
Dowson also cites Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my coaching, how I manage others.”
The team demonstrate attractive rugby, which became obvious in the instance of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team beaten in the continental tournament in last season when Freeman notched a three tries. He admired the style to such an extent to buck the pattern of English talent moving to France.
“A friend called me and said: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He desires experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my friend said. That interested me. We met with Anthony and his English was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.
“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be trained, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and outside the French league. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson comments the young Pollock brings a particular enthusiasm. Has he coached anyone like him? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Each person is individual but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”
His spectacular score against the Irish side last season demonstrated his unusual skill, but some of his demonstrative on-field behavior have resulted in accusations of cockiness.
“At times seems arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Henry’s not joking around the whole time. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I think sometimes it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and great to have in the squad.”
Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.
“We both have an curiosity around different things,” he says. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the same.
“We discuss numerous topics outside rugby: films, reading, ideas, culture. When we met Stade [Français] previously, the landmark was being done up, so we had a quick look.”
One more match in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be brief because the continental event kicks in next week. Pau, in the shadow of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at soon after.
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