Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
This English town isn't exactly the most glamorous spot in the world, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of thrills and drama.
In a place renowned for boot‑making, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to keep ball in hand.
Despite embodying a typically British community, they showcase a style associated with the best Gallic exponents of expansive play.
From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the Premiership and gone deep in the Champions Cup – defeated by their Gallic opponents in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash previously.
They currently top the Prem table after four wins and a draw and visit Bristol on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a maiden victory at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 premier fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, always planned to be a coach.
“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “Yet as you mature, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the real world entails. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing a trial period. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was challenging – you realise what you possess and lack.”
Discussions with club legends culminated in a position at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson leads a team increasingly filled with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the Red Rose facing the New Zealand two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a major effect from the replacements in England’s successful series while the number ten, eventually, will inherit the pivotal position.
Is the emergence of this exceptional group due to the club's environment, or is it chance?
“It is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the experience they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so united and so skilled.”
Dowson also cites Mallinder, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be mentored by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he adds. “He had a significant influence on my rugby life, my training methods, how I manage individuals.”
Saints demonstrate appealing football, which proved literally true in the example of their new signing. The Gallic player was a member of the opposing team defeated in the Champions Cup in April when Tommy Freeman scored a three tries. He liked what he saw sufficiently to reverse the trend of British stars heading across the Channel.
“A friend rang me and remarked: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We don’t have money for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He wants new challenges, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my mate told me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his English was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a funny side.
“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be driven, to be in a new environment and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson states the young Pollock provides a unique vitality. Has he coached anyone like him? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but he is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”
The player's sensational touchdown against their opponents last season illustrated his unusual skill, but a few of his animated during matches antics have brought accusations of arrogance.
“At times seems arrogant in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore he's being serious all the time. Game-wise he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I think sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and good fun to have around.”
Not many managers would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with Sam Vesty.
“Sam and I possess an curiosity around diverse subjects,” he says. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore various elements, seeks to understand everything, wants to experience new experiences, and I think I’m the alike.
“We converse on many subjects outside the game: movies, books, concepts, culture. When we met our French rivals last year, the landmark was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”
Another fixture in Gall is coming up: The Saints' reacquaintance with the English competition will be brief because the European tournament takes over soon. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the border region, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to soon after.
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