Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
This English town is hardly the most tropical destination globally, but its squad delivers plenty of thrills and drama.
In a town known for boot‑making, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's modus operandi. However under leader Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors prefer to run with the ball.
Even though representing a quintessentially English community, they showcase a panache synonymous with the greatest French masters of attacking rugby.
After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – defeated by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and knocked out by the Irish province in a last-four clash previously.
They currently top the Prem table after four wins and a draw and visit Ashton Gate on matchday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a first win at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier games for multiple clubs combined, consistently aimed to be a coach.
“During my career, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You do the commute a few times, and it was difficult – you realise what you have going for you.”
Talks with club legends resulted in a job at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson manages a roster progressively filled with global stars: prominent figures were selected for England versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a profound impact as a substitute in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, eventually, will take over the fly-half role.
Is the rise of this outstanding generation due to the club's environment, or is it fortune?
“This is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a collective is definitely one of the reasons they are so united and so talented.”
Dowson also mentions Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be coached by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he says. “Jim had a significant influence on my professional journey, my training methods, how I interact with others.”
Saints execute entertaining football, which was clearly evident in the instance of the French fly-half. The Frenchman was part of the French club overcome in the continental tournament in last season when Tommy Freeman scored a three tries. Belleau was impressed sufficiently to reverse the trend of English talent heading across the Channel.
“A mate called me and said: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘There's no funds for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He wants experience, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my contact said. That interested me. We met with Belleau and his language skills was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.
“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson says the young Pollock provides a particular energy. Does he know anyone comparable? “Not really,” Dowson answers. “All players are original but Pollock is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be himself.”
His spectacular score against the Irish side last season illustrated his freakish skill, but various his demonstrative during matches antics have brought accusations of arrogance.
“He sometimes appears cocky in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “And Pollock is being serious the whole time. Game-wise he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and great to have in the squad.”
Not many coaches would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with his co-coach.
“Together have an inquisitiveness about various topics,” he notes. “We have a literary circle. He wants to see everything, seeks to understand each detail, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the alike.
“We converse on numerous things away from rugby: movies, books, thoughts, art. When we met the Parisian club last year, Notre-Dame was undergoing restoration, so we had a little wander around.”
One more match in France is approaching: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the English competition will be temporary because the European tournament intervenes soon. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the border region, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit soon after.
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