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

Northampton is hardly the most glamorous location globally, but its squad offers plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place renowned for footwear manufacturing, you would think kicking to be the Northampton's modus operandi. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to keep ball in hand.

Despite playing for a distinctly UK town, they display a panache typical of the best Gallic practitioners of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and advanced far in the European competition – beaten by a French side in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They lead the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit their West Country rivals on Saturday as the just one without a loss, chasing a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, had long intended to be a trainer.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you love the sport, and what the real world is like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you grasp what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with former mentors resulted in a position at the Saints. Fast-forward a decade and Dowson manages a team ever more filled with national team players: prominent figures lined up for the Red Rose against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while Fin Smith, eventually, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this exceptional cohort due to the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?

“It's a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by highly engaging personalities,” he notes. “He had a major effect on my professional journey, my coaching, how I deal with people.”

Northampton demonstrate appealing the game, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was involved with the opposing team beaten in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman registered a hat-trick. He admired the style to such an extent to buck the pattern of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend phoned me and said: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘There's no funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my friend informed me. That caught my attention. We met with Anthony and his language skills was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson says the young Pollock provides a specific energy. Does he know an individual similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s unique but Pollock is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”

His spectacular touchdown against the Irish side previously demonstrated his freakish skill, but a few of his expressive during matches antics have brought claims of cockiness.

“On occasion comes across as cocky in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “And he's not joking around all the time. Game-wise he has input – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and good fun within the team.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“Together have an curiosity about different things,” he says. “We have a book club. He desires to explore everything, wants to know all there is, wants to experience different things, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We talk about many subjects beyond the game: cinema, books, ideas, art. When we met Stade [Français] in the past season, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

A further match in Gall is coming up: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup takes over soon. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the mountain range, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.

“I won't be arrogant to the extent to {