Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
This English town may not be the most glamorous spot in the world, but its squad delivers a great deal of thrills and drama.
In a town renowned for boot‑making, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.
Although embodying a distinctly UK community, they display a panache typical of the greatest Gallic practitioners of expansive play.
Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have won the Premiership and advanced far in the European competition – losing to Bordeaux-Bègles in the ultimate match and knocked out by the Irish province in a last-four clash before that.
They sit atop the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on matchday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a initial success at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 top-flight fixtures for various teams altogether, had long intended to be a coach.
“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you understand how much you enjoy the game, and what the real world entails. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing work experience. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was challenging – you see what you possess and lack.”
Discussions with former mentors culminated in a job at the Saints. Jump ahead several seasons and Dowson manages a team ever more packed with global stars: prominent figures started for the national side versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.
An emerging talent also had a major effect off the bench in the national team's perfect autumn while Fin Smith, down the line, will take over the No 10 jersey.
Is the emergence of this outstanding group attributable to the team's ethos, or is it luck?
“It is a mix of each,” says Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a unit is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so skilled.”
Dowson also cites his predecessor, a former boss at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting personalities,” he adds. “Jim had a major effect on my rugby life, my training methods, how I deal with others.”
Saints play appealing football, which proved literally true in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The import was a member of the opposing team overcome in the Champions Cup in last season when Freeman scored a triple. The player admired the style enough to reverse the trend of UK players heading across the Channel.
“An associate called me and remarked: ‘We've found a French 10 who’s looking for a team,’” Dowson explains. “My response was: ‘There's no money for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for experience, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my friend told me. That interested me. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.
“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be pushed, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he turned out to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson comments the emerging Henry Pollock provides a unique enthusiasm. Does he know anyone similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s unique but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”
Pollock’s sensational touchdown against Leinster last season showcased his exceptional talent, but various his animated on-field actions have resulted in claims of cockiness.
“At times comes across as overconfident in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore Pollock is being serious constantly. Tactically he has input – he’s no fool. I believe on occasion it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and great to have to have around.”
Hardly any coaches would describe themselves as sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Vesty.
“Sam and I possess an inquisitiveness regarding 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 feel like I’m the same.
“We talk about numerous topics beyond the game: cinema, books, thoughts, culture. When we faced Stade [Français] previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”
One more date in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be temporary because the Champions Cup takes over next week. The French side, in the foothills of the mountain range, are up first on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit a week later.
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