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

This English town may not be the most glamorous location on the planet, but its rugby union team provides plenty of excitement and passion.

In a place known for boot‑making, you might expect kicking to be the Northampton's main approach. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors prefer to run with the ball.

Although representing a typically British location, they display a style typical of the best Gallic practitioners of expansive play.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final earlier.

They currently top the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to their West Country rivals on matchday as the just one without a loss, chasing a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite matches for multiple clubs combined, always planned to be a coach.

“When I played, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “However as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the real world looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing an internship. You make the journey a multiple instances, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with former mentors resulted in a position at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson guides a squad progressively packed with internationals: key individuals lined up for the Red Rose against the New Zealand two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while the number ten, eventually, will take over the pivotal position.

Is the development of this exceptional group attributable to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“It's a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I’d credit the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the exposure they had as a group is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, another predecessor at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be guided by really interesting people,” he says. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my training methods, how I deal with individuals.”

The team demonstrate entertaining rugby, which became obvious in the instance of their new signing. The import was involved with the French club beaten in the Champions Cup in April when the winger notched a three tries. He admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars moving to France.

“An associate phoned me and said: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘We don’t have budget for a French fly-half. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He wants a fresh start, for the chance to prove his worth,’ my contact informed me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with Belleau and his English was excellent, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be driven, to be outside his comfort zone and beyond the Top 14. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging the flanker provides a particular energy. Has he encountered anyone like him? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s unique but Henry is distinct and special in multiple respects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s sensational try against the Irish side in the past campaign demonstrated his freakish ability, but a few of his animated on-field actions have resulted in accusations of overconfidence.

“He sometimes appears overconfident in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson says. “And Henry’s being serious constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s no fool. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and good fun within the team.”

Hardly any managers would describe themselves as having a bromance with a assistant, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Vesty.

“Sam and I share an inquisitiveness around diverse subjects,” he explains. “We have a literary circle. He aims to discover everything, wants to know all there is, desires to try varied activities, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We converse on numerous topics beyond rugby: films, literature, concepts, culture. When we faced Stade [Français] previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a little wander around.”

One more date in France is coming up: Northampton’s comeback with the English competition will be temporary because the European tournament kicks in next week. Pau, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the South African team visit soon after.

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