Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
This English town may not be the most tropical location in the world, but its squad offers a great deal of romance and adventure.
In a place famous for shoe production, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under leader Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.
Even though embodying a typically British town, they showcase a flair synonymous with the greatest Gallic exponents of attacking rugby.
From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have secured the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and ousted by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash before that.
They currently top the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for multiple clubs altogether, had long intended to be a manager.
“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “But as you get older, you understand how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the normal employment is like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing work experience. You do the commute a few times, and it was tough – you see what you possess and lack.”
Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a role at Northampton. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a team ever more crammed with global stars: prominent figures were selected for England versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, in time, will assume the fly-half role.
Is the development of this outstanding cohort attributable to the team's ethos, or is it fortune?
“This is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so skilled.”
Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be coached by really interesting individuals,” he says. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my training methods, how I deal with individuals.”
Saints play attractive football, which proved literally true in the case of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was involved with the French club overcome in the European competition in April when Freeman scored a hat-trick. He admired the style sufficiently to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.
“A mate called me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the budget for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He wants experience, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact informed me. That caught my attention. We spoke to Anthony and his communication was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.
“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be trained, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson says the 20-year-old the flanker offers a particular vitality. Has he coached a player comparable? “Never,” Dowson responds. “Each person is unique but Henry is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”
Pollock’s breathtaking score against Leinster in the past campaign illustrated his unusual ability, but some of his animated in-game actions have brought allegations of arrogance.
“At times seems overconfident in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “And he's not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s a smart player. I feel sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and great to have to have around.”
Few directors of rugby would claim to have sharing a close bond with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his connection with Sam Vesty.
“We both share an inquisitiveness about various topics,” he explains. “We maintain a book club. He wants to see everything, aims to learn each detail, wants to experience different things, and I think I’m the alike.
“We talk about lots of topics outside the sport: cinema, reading, thoughts, art. When we played our French rivals in the past season, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”
Another date in the French nation is approaching: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be brief because the Champions Cup kicks in shortly. Pau, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on the coming weekend before the South African team travel to a week later.
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