Northampton Coach Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
This English town is hardly the most tropical destination on the planet, but its rugby union team delivers an abundance of excitement and passion.
In a city known for shoe production, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. However under leader Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to keep ball in hand.
Despite playing for a quintessentially English town, they display a style typical of the finest French practitioners of champagne rugby.
From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and gone deep in the European competition – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Leinster in a last-four clash earlier.
They lead the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, chasing a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 premier fixtures for various teams altogether, consistently aimed to be a coach.
“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “But as you get older, you understand how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment entails. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing an internship. You make the journey a few times, and it was tough – you realise what you have going for you.”
Conversations with club legends resulted in a role at the Saints. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a team ever more filled with internationals: key individuals were selected for England versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a major effect from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, in time, will assume the fly-half role.
Is the emergence of this remarkable generation because of the team's ethos, or is it chance?
“It 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 experience they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so gifted.”
Dowson also cites his predecessor, a former boss at the club's home, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be coached by highly engaging people,” he notes. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I manage others.”
Northampton execute entertaining football, which became obvious in the case of their new signing. The import was involved with the opposing team overcome in the continental tournament in April when Freeman notched a hat-trick. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to reverse the trend of English talent joining Top 14 sides.
“An associate phoned me and stated: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the funds for a imported playmaker. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He wants a fresh start, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my contact informed me. That caught my attention. We spoke to him and his communication was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.
“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson states the young Pollock provides a particular vitality. Has he coached an individual comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but he is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”
The player's sensational try against the Irish side previously illustrated his freakish skill, but some of his expressive during matches actions have led to allegations of overconfidence.
“On occasion seems overconfident in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “And Pollock is not taking the piss constantly. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I think at times it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence within the team.”
Few directors of rugby would describe themselves as having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with Vesty.
“We both have an inquisitiveness regarding diverse subjects,” he notes. “We maintain a reading group. He wants to see various elements, aims to learn each detail, aims to encounter varied activities, and I think I’m the alike.
“We discuss numerous topics away from the game: films, books, thoughts, art. When we met Stade [Français] previously, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”
Another fixture in Gall is looming: The Saints' comeback with the English competition will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over next week. The French side, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls arrive at a week later.
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