Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
This English town isn't exactly the most tropical destination globally, but its rugby union team offers an abundance of thrills and drama.
In a place known for boot‑making, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.
Although playing for a typically British location, they showcase a style typical of the finest French practitioners of attacking rugby.
Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have secured the English top flight and advanced far in the European competition – defeated by their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and eliminated by Leinster in a last-four clash previously.
They lead the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Ashton Gate on Saturday as the just one without a loss, seeking a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier games for multiple clubs altogether, had long intended to be a coach.
“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you love the game, and what the real world is like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing work experience. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was tough – you grasp what you have going for you.”
Conversations with club legends resulted in a position at Northampton. Move forward eight years and Dowson leads a squad progressively packed with global stars: key individuals were selected for the Red Rose against the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's successful series while the number ten, eventually, will assume the fly-half role.
Is the rise of this outstanding group because of the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?
“This is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so united and so skilled.”
Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be coached by really interesting people,” he adds. “He had a big impact on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with people.”
The team demonstrate attractive rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was a member of the Clermont XV overcome in the Champions Cup in April when the winger scored a triple. The player liked what he saw sufficiently to buck the pattern of English talent joining Top 14 sides.
“An associate phoned me and remarked: ‘We've found a fly-half from France who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘There's no budget for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my contact said. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.
“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and away from the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson states the young Henry Pollock provides a unique enthusiasm. Has he encountered an individual like him? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but Henry is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be who he is.”
His spectacular touchdown against their opponents previously demonstrated his unusual skill, but various his demonstrative on-field actions have led to claims of arrogance.
“On occasion seems arrogant in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss constantly. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s no fool. I believe sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”
Few directors of rugby would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his partnership with his co-coach.
“We both possess an interest regarding various topics,” he says. “We run a reading group. He wants to see various elements, wants to know everything, wants to experience varied activities, and I think I’m the same.
“We talk about numerous subjects outside the game: cinema, literature, ideas, creativity. When we met the Parisian club last year, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”
One more match in France is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be brief because the European tournament takes over soon. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Bulls visit a week later.
“I’m not going to be arrogant to the extent to {