Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’

Northampton is hardly the most glamorous location globally, but its rugby union team offers an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a city known for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.

Although representing a typically British town, they exhibit a style typical of the best Gallic practitioners of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and advanced far in the European competition – beaten by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round before that.

They sit atop the Prem table after a series of victories and one tie and head to their West Country rivals on the weekend as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you love the sport, and what the real world looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You travel to work a multiple instances, and it was tough – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with club legends led to a role at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson manages a team progressively filled with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s successful series while the fly-half, in time, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this outstanding generation because of the club's environment, or is it luck?

“It is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a unit is certainly one of the causes they are so close-knit and so talented.”

Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be coached by really interesting people,” he says. “Jim had a significant influence on my professional journey, my training methods, how I deal with others.”

The team play entertaining football, which became obvious in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Gallic player was a member of the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in last season when the winger notched a hat-trick. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to go against the flow of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend rang me and stated: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’

‘He desires experience, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my mate informed me. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was outstanding, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.

“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the French league. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson states the emerging the flanker offers a particular energy. Does he know a player similar? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Each person is individual but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

His breathtaking touchdown against their opponents last season demonstrated his unusual skill, but various his expressive during matches antics have brought allegations of arrogance.

“He sometimes comes across as cocky in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “Plus Pollock is being serious all the time. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I believe on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and good fun in the squad.”

Not many managers would describe themselves as having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.

“Together possess an inquisitiveness about various topics,” he explains. “We have a book club. He wants to see various elements, seeks to understand each detail, desires to try different things, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We converse on numerous things outside rugby: cinema, reading, concepts, creativity. When we faced Stade [Français] last year, the cathedral was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”

One more match in France is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event intervenes next week. Pau, in the shadow of the border region, are the opening fixture on the coming weekend before the Pretoria-based club visit the following weekend.

“I’m not going to be overconfident sufficiently to {