Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
This English town may not be the most exotic location globally, but its rugby union team provides plenty of thrills and drama.
In a city known for shoe production, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues choose to retain possession.
Although representing a distinctly UK town, they showcase a panache typical of the best French practitioners of expansive play.
From the time Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and knocked out by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.
They lead the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, aiming for a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, had long intended to be a manager.
“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he states. “However as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the sport, and what the normal employment looks like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing work experience. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”
Discussions with club legends culminated in a position at Northampton. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson leads a roster increasingly crammed with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for England versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a profound impact from the replacements in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, down the line, will assume the fly-half role.
Is the rise of this outstanding generation attributable to the club's environment, or is it fortune?
“This is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a collective is definitely one of the reasons they are so united and so skilled.”
Dowson also cites Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be guided by exceptionally insightful people,” he adds. “Jim had a big impact on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with people.”
The team demonstrate attractive the game, which was clearly evident in the example of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in last season when the winger registered a hat-trick. Belleau liked what he saw to such an extent to buck the pattern of English talent joining Top 14 sides.
“A mate rang me and said: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a overseas star. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for a fresh start, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my contact informed me. That interested me. We spoke to him and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.
“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson states the 20-year-old Pollock brings a specific energy. Has he encountered a player comparable? “Never,” Dowson answers. “All players are individual but he is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be authentic.”
Pollock’s breathtaking touchdown against the Irish side previously demonstrated his exceptional skill, but some of his animated in-game antics have resulted in claims of overconfidence.
“On occasion appears cocky in his actions, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Plus he's not taking the piss the whole time. Tactically he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s intelligent and good fun in the squad.”
Hardly any managers would claim to have having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Sam Vesty.
“We both have an interest about diverse subjects,” he says. “We run a reading group. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I feel like I’m the same.
“We converse on lots of things beyond rugby: movies, reading, thoughts, creativity. When we met the Parisian club in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a quick look.”
Another match in France is approaching: Northampton’s return with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event takes over soon. The French side, in the foothills of the border region, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the South African team visit soon after.
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