Northampton Coach Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’

This English town may not be the most glamorous destination in the world, but its rugby union team provides a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ primary strategy. But under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold choose to run with the ball.

Although embodying a quintessentially English community, they exhibit a panache synonymous with the finest French masters of champagne rugby.

Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and advanced far in the European competition – defeated by their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They currently top the league standings after four wins and a draw and head to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 top-flight matches for various teams altogether, always planned to be a manager.

“During my career, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “But as you mature, you comprehend how much you love the sport, and what the everyday life looks like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing an internship. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was challenging – you realise what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with club legends resulted in a position at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a roster increasingly packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for the national side versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s successful series while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this remarkable group because of the team's ethos, or is it chance?

“It is a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the exposure they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the causes they are so tight and so talented.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by really interesting people,” he says. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my career, my management style, how I manage people.”

Saints play attractive football, which was clearly evident in the case of Anthony Belleau. The import was part of the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman scored a hat-trick. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players moving to France.

“A mate called me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We don’t have money for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my mate told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his English was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We asked: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and outside the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he has been. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the 20-year-old Pollock offers a particular energy. Has he coached anyone similar? “No,” Dowson replies. “All players are unique but he is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

His spectacular score against Leinster in the past campaign demonstrated his exceptional skill, but a few of his animated on-field behavior have resulted in accusations of arrogance.

“He sometimes comes across as cocky in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus Henry’s not joking around constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I believe sometimes it’s depicted that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many coaches would claim to have sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.

“We both have an interest around diverse subjects,” he notes. “We have a book club. He aims to discover everything, seeks to understand each detail, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the same.

“We talk about many things away from the sport: films, reading, ideas, culture. When we met our French rivals last year, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

A further match in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be short-lived because the continental event kicks in next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls travel to soon after.

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