Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton is hardly the most glamorous spot globally, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of romance and adventure.
In a place famous for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.
Even though representing a typically British community, they exhibit a panache associated with the best French practitioners of attacking rugby.
From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the English top flight and progressed well in the continental tournament – beaten by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and ousted by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round earlier.
They sit atop the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and head to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a coach.
“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “However as you age, you understand how much you love the sport, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was tough – you grasp what you possess and lack.”
Conversations with former mentors led to a job at Northampton. Move forward eight years and Dowson leads a roster increasingly filled with internationals: prominent figures started for the Red Rose against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a significant influence from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will inherit the fly-half role.
Is the development of this remarkable cohort due to the club's environment, or is it fortune?
“This is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so tight and so skilled.”
Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be coached by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he notes. “Jim had a significant influence on my professional journey, my training methods, how I deal with others.”
The team execute attractive the game, which became obvious in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was involved with the opposing team beaten in the European competition in April when Freeman scored a triple. The player was impressed enough to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.
“A friend called me and remarked: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘We lack the budget for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He wants a fresh start, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my contact told me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his English was excellent, he was articulate, he had a sense of humour.
“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson states the young Pollock offers a particular vitality. Does he know anyone comparable? “Never,” Dowson responds. “All players are individual but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”
The player's breathtaking try against their opponents previously demonstrated his exceptional talent, but a few of his demonstrative in-game behavior have led to accusations of cockiness.
“He sometimes comes across as overconfident in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “Furthermore Henry’s being serious the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I think at times it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and a positive influence in the squad.”
Hardly any coaches would describe themselves as having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Sam Vesty.
“We both possess an curiosity regarding various topics,” he explains. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover everything, seeks to understand everything, wants to experience different things, and I feel like I’m the alike.
“We discuss many subjects beyond rugby: cinema, reading, thoughts, art. When we met the Parisian club previously, the landmark was being done up, so we had a quick look.”
Another match in France is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be temporary because the European tournament kicks in next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the border region, are up first on Sunday week before the South African team arrive at soon after.
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