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

This English town is hardly the most exotic location on the planet, but its club provides an abundance of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold opt to keep ball in hand.

Despite playing for a distinctly UK community, they display a panache associated with the finest Gallic exponents of expansive play.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the English top flight and advanced far in the continental tournament – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash previously.

They currently top the league standings after four wins and a draw and head to Bristol on matchday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 elite fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, had long intended to be a coach.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “However as you mature, you comprehend how much you appreciate the sport, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a position at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a squad ever more packed with global stars: prominent figures were selected for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

An emerging talent also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, eventually, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this remarkable generation due to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?

“It's a mix of each,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting individuals,” he says. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with individuals.”

The team demonstrate entertaining football, which proved literally true in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was part of the opposing team defeated in the European competition in the spring when the winger scored a triple. The player was impressed enough to go against the flow of British stars heading across the Channel.

“An associate rang me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We don’t have funds for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with him and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the French league. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the young the flanker provides a specific enthusiasm. Has he encountered an individual similar? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “All players are unique but Pollock is distinct and special in many ways. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s breathtaking try against their opponents previously showcased his freakish skill, but a few of his expressive during matches behavior have led to accusations of arrogance.

“At times appears cocky in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore he's not joking around constantly. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many coaches would claim to have having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an interest around different things,” he explains. “We run a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience different things, and I think I’m the same.

“We discuss lots of topics outside rugby: movies, literature, thoughts, culture. When we played the Parisian club in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further match in Gall is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the domestic league will be brief because the continental event kicks in soon. Pau, in the foothills of the mountain range, are up first on matchday before the Bulls travel to a week later.

“I’m not going to be presumptuous sufficiently to {