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

Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous spot globally, but its squad provides a great deal of excitement and passion.

In a place known for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the side in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.

Despite playing for a quintessentially English town, they showcase a flair synonymous with the finest French exponents of attacking rugby.

After Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and progressed well in the continental tournament – defeated by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and ousted by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.

They sit atop the Prem table after four wins and a draw and head to Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite matches for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester altogether, always planned to be a manager.

“As a professional, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the everyday life looks like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing an internship. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was tough – you realise what you have going for you.”

Discussions with former mentors resulted in a role at the Saints. Move forward several seasons and Dowson manages a squad progressively packed with national team players: prominent figures lined up for England facing the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s successful series while the number ten, eventually, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the development of this exceptional generation due to the club's environment, or is it fortune?

“It's a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so tight and so gifted.”

Dowson also namechecks Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be guided by really interesting personalities,” he says. “He had a big impact on my rugby life, my management style, how I manage others.”

Northampton execute entertaining the game, which was clearly evident in the example of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was a member of the Clermont XV defeated in the Champions Cup in the spring when the winger registered a hat-trick. The player liked what he saw to such an extent to go against the flow of British stars joining Top 14 sides.

“A mate called me and remarked: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson recalls. “I said: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the opportunity to prove his worth,’ my mate informed me. That interested me. We spoke to him and his language skills was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the domestic competition. I was thinking: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging the flanker provides a specific enthusiasm. Has he encountered an individual like him? “Never,” Dowson responds. “All players are original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

The player's sensational score against Leinster last season showcased his freakish ability, but a few of his animated during matches antics have brought allegations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes seems overconfident in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “And Pollock is not joking around all the time. Tactically he has input – he’s a smart player. I feel at times it’s depicted that he’s merely a joker. But he’s clever and great to have within the team.”

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

“Sam and I have an curiosity about diverse subjects,” he notes. “We have a book club. He aims to discover various elements, aims to learn all there is, desires to try different things, and I think I’m the similar.

“We converse on many topics outside the sport: movies, literature, concepts, art. When we met the Parisian club previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a quick look.”

A further fixture in France is approaching: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be temporary because the European tournament takes over shortly. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club arrive at the following weekend.

“I’m not going to be arrogant to the extent to {