Northampton Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous destination globally, but its squad offers a great deal of excitement and passion.
In a city renowned for boot‑making, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors choose to keep ball in hand.
Although representing a quintessentially English location, they showcase a flair typical of the best French practitioners of expansive play.
Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the English top flight and gone deep in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the ultimate match and eliminated by Leinster in a last-four clash earlier.
They lead the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and visit their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, seeking a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite fixtures for multiple clubs combined, consistently aimed to be a manager.
“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he remarks. “But as you age, you understand how much you appreciate the sport, and what the real world looks like. I spent some time at a banking firm doing a trial period. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was tough – you see what you do and don’t have.”
Discussions with club legends culminated in a job at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson manages a team ever more packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for the national side against the New Zealand two weeks ago.
Henry Pollock also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s successful series while the fly-half, down the line, will assume the pivotal position.
Is the emergence of this exceptional cohort attributable to the team's ethos, or is it chance?
“It's a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the experience they had as a group is certainly one of the causes they are so tight and so skilled.”
Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, an earlier coach at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful people,” he says. “He had a big impact on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with others.”
The team execute entertaining football, which was clearly evident in the case of the French fly-half. The Gallic player was a member of the French club overcome in the European competition in last season when the winger registered a hat-trick. The player was impressed to such an extent to buck the pattern of English talent moving to France.
“An associate called me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘There's no money for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’
‘He wants a fresh start, for the chance to test himself,’ my friend told me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a funny side.
“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He said to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson states the emerging Henry Pollock provides a specific energy. Does he know an individual similar? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Each person is original but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be himself.”
His sensational score against their opponents previously illustrated his freakish ability, but various his demonstrative in-game behavior have led to allegations of arrogance.
“On occasion comes across as overconfident in his conduct, but he’s not,” Dowson says. “Plus Pollock is not taking the piss all the time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I think on occasion it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and good fun within the team.”
Few managers would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with Sam Vesty.
“We both have an curiosity around various topics,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He desires to explore everything, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I feel like I’m the similar.
“We converse on lots of topics beyond the sport: films, books, thoughts, creativity. When we met the Parisian club last year, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”
A further date in France is looming: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be brief because the European tournament takes over next week. The French side, in the shadow of the mountain range, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Pretoria-based club travel to a week later.
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