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

This English town may not be the most glamorous destination on the planet, but its squad provides an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a town renowned for shoe production, you could anticipate kicking to be the Northampton's primary strategy. However under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors choose to run with the ball.

Even though embodying a distinctly UK community, they display a flair synonymous with the finest French practitioners of champagne rugby.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the domestic league and progressed well in the continental tournament – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final before that.

They lead the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to their West Country rivals on Saturday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 elite matches for multiple clubs in total, had long intended to be a coach.

“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “However as you mature, you comprehend how much you enjoy the rugby, and what the everyday life is like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing an internship. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a job at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson manages a roster increasingly filled with global stars: key individuals started for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while the number ten, in time, will inherit the pivotal position.

Is the rise of this remarkable cohort because of the team's ethos, or is it fortune?

“It is a combination of the two,” says Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also cites his predecessor, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a significant mentor. “It was my good fortune to be guided by really interesting people,” he adds. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my coaching, how I deal with people.”

The team execute appealing rugby, which was clearly evident in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was involved with the Clermont XV beaten in the Champions Cup in last season when the winger notched a three tries. He admired the style enough to go against the flow of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘There’s a fly-half from France who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson says. “I said: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my friend informed me. That intrigued us. We met with Anthony and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be trained, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging Henry Pollock provides a particular enthusiasm. Does he know anyone like him? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s breathtaking score against their opponents last season illustrated his freakish ability, but a few of his animated on-field behavior have led to accusations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes seems arrogant in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Furthermore he's not taking the piss constantly. Game-wise he has input – he’s no fool. I feel sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s intelligent and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many managers would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson frames his connection with Vesty.

“Sam and I share an interest around different things,” he notes. “We maintain a literary circle. He desires to explore all aspects, wants to know all there is, wants to experience varied activities, and I feel like I’m the same.

“We talk about many things outside the game: movies, reading, ideas, art. 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 looming: The Saints' return with the Prem will be brief because the Champions Cup kicks in shortly. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the border region, are up first on matchday before the Bulls arrive at a week later.

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