Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’

Northampton isn't exactly the most tropical destination on the planet, but its squad provides plenty of excitement and passion.

In a town known for footwear manufacturing, you could anticipate punting to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors prefer to run with the ball.

Even though representing a typically British town, they display a panache typical of the finest French exponents of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have secured the English top flight and advanced far in the continental tournament – losing to their Gallic opponents in the ultimate match and knocked out by the Irish province in a penultimate round earlier.

They currently top the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Bristol on Saturday as the just one without a loss, chasing a maiden victory at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who played 262 elite fixtures for various teams in total, always planned to be a coach.

“When I played, I didn't really think about it,” he remarks. “However as you mature, you realise how much you love the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a few times, and it was challenging – you see what you possess and lack.”

Conversations with former mentors culminated in a role at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson guides a roster increasingly packed with internationals: key individuals were selected for the national side versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's successful series while the fly-half, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.

Is the rise of this outstanding group because of the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a collective is definitely one of the factors they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Jim Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting people,” he notes. “Jim had a major effect on my rugby life, my management style, how I deal with others.”

Saints play attractive football, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The import was a member of the opposing team beaten in the continental tournament in April when Freeman notched a three tries. He was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.

“An associate rang me and stated: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the funds for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my mate said. That caught my attention. We met with Belleau and his language skills was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He said to be trained, to be pushed, to be in a new environment and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, 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 the flanker offers a specific energy. Has he coached anyone like him? “Not really,” Dowson responds. “Each person is original but Henry is different and unique in many ways. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s spectacular try against the Irish side last season illustrated his freakish ability, but a few of his animated on-field actions have led to allegations of cockiness.

“At times comes across as overconfident in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Pollock is not taking the piss all the time. Tactically he has input – he’s not a clown. I believe on occasion it’s shown that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and a positive influence within the team.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Sam Vesty.

“We both share an inquisitiveness about diverse subjects,” he notes. “We maintain a book club. He aims to discover all aspects, seeks to understand everything, desires to try different things, and I believe I’m the similar.

“We talk about many subjects beyond the game: movies, reading, ideas, culture. When we played Stade [Français] in the past season, the landmark was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another date in Gall is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the domestic league will be temporary because the continental event takes over soon. The French side, in the vicinity of the border region, are the opening fixture on Sunday week before the Bulls travel to soon after.

“I won't be presumptuous to the extent to {