Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘My Bank Job Was a Real Challenge’

Northampton may not be the most exotic location on the planet, but its club delivers plenty of romance and adventure.

In a town renowned for shoe production, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors opt to run with the ball.

Although playing for a typically British location, they showcase a style synonymous with the finest French practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round previously.

They lead the Prem table after four wins and a draw and visit Bristol on matchday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, always planned to be a manager.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you realise how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I spent some time at a banking firm doing a trial period. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was difficult – you realise what you have going for you.”

Discussions with club legends culminated in a role at Northampton. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson guides a roster increasingly packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.

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

“It's a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a collective is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so talented.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he says. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my career, my management style, how I manage people.”

Northampton play entertaining rugby, which was clearly evident in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team overcome in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman scored a hat-trick. The player admired the style enough to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate called me and said: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson says. “I replied: ‘We don’t have money for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the possibility to test himself,’ my friend told me. That caught my attention. We spoke to Anthony and his English was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and beyond the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson comments the young Henry Pollock provides a particular energy. Has he encountered a player like him? “No,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but he is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”

Pollock’s breathtaking try against Leinster in the past campaign demonstrated his freakish talent, but various his expressive on-field actions have led to accusations of arrogance.

“At times comes across as arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Furthermore Henry’s being serious the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s no fool. I think at times it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and a positive influence in the squad.”

Not many managers would claim to have having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Sam Vesty.

“Together possess an interest regarding diverse subjects,” he notes. “We have a reading group. He desires to explore various elements, aims to learn each detail, desires to try new experiences, and I feel like I’m the alike.

“We discuss lots of things beyond the sport: movies, books, thoughts, art. When we met the Parisian club last year, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

A further match in the French nation is coming up: The Saints' comeback with the domestic league will be brief because the European tournament intervenes soon. Pau, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Bulls travel to a week later.

“I refuse to be arrogant enough to {