Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
Northampton may not be the most glamorous destination in the world, but its squad offers an abundance of thrills and drama.
In a city known for shoe production, you would think punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.
Although playing for a distinctly UK location, they exhibit a panache associated with the best French practitioners of champagne rugby.
Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the English top flight and advanced far in the European competition – losing to their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and eliminated by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round before that.
They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Bristol on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight games for various teams in total, always planned to be a coach.
“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he states. “Yet as you get older, you comprehend how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was challenging – you grasp what you possess and lack.”
Discussions with former mentors resulted in a position at Northampton. Move forward several seasons and Dowson leads a squad ever more filled with national team players: prominent figures started for England versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a profound impact off the bench in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, in time, will take over the No 10 jersey.
Is the rise of this outstanding cohort because of the Saints’ culture, or is it fortune?
“This is a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a group is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so skilled.”
Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging people,” he adds. “He had a big impact on my career, my management style, how I manage people.”
Saints play appealing rugby, which became obvious in the case of their new signing. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team overcome in the continental tournament in the spring when the winger registered a hat-trick. He admired the style sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players joining Top 14 sides.
“An associate rang me and remarked: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for experience, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my friend informed me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his communication was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.
“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be coached, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the French league. I was like: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock brings a particular enthusiasm. Has he coached anyone similar? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but Henry is unusual and remarkable in many ways. He’s unafraid to be himself.”
The player's spectacular score against Leinster previously showcased his exceptional skill, but various his expressive on-field antics have led to allegations of cockiness.
“On occasion appears overconfident in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Henry’s not taking the piss constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s no fool. I feel sometimes it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and good fun in the squad.”
Hardly any managers would claim to have having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.
“Together have an interest regarding various topics,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He desires to explore all aspects, aims to learn each detail, desires to try new experiences, and I feel like I’m the alike.
“We talk about numerous subjects outside the game: films, literature, concepts, creativity. When we met our French rivals previously, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”
Another date in the French nation is looming: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be temporary because the European tournament intervenes shortly. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the South African team visit soon after.
“I’m not going to be overconfident sufficiently to {