Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
Northampton may not be the most tropical location globally, but its club offers an abundance of excitement and passion.
In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you would think boot work to be the Saints’ modus operandi. But under head coach Phil Dowson, the team in the club's hues choose to keep ball in hand.
Even though playing for a typically British community, they exhibit a style typical of the greatest French masters of champagne rugby.
After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty assumed control in 2022, Northampton have won the domestic league and progressed well in the European competition – defeated by their Gallic opponents in last season’s final and ousted by Dublin-based club in a penultimate round earlier.
They lead the competition ladder after multiple successes and a single stalemate and travel to Ashton Gate on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a maiden victory at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 premier fixtures for various teams combined, had long intended to be a trainer.
“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “Yet as you mature, you understand how much you appreciate the rugby, and what the real world is like. I spent some time at Metro Bank doing a trial period. You make the journey a few times, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”
Talks with former mentors resulted in a position at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson guides a roster increasingly packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles were selected for England versus the New Zealand two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a significant influence from the replacements in the national team's successful series while Fin Smith, in time, will take over the pivotal position.
Is the development of this exceptional cohort attributable to the club's environment, or is it luck?
“It's a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “I would acknowledge Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a collective is undoubtedly one of the reasons they are so united and so skilled.”
Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, a former boss at the club's home, as a significant mentor. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by really interesting individuals,” he notes. “He had a major effect on my rugby life, my management style, how I interact with others.”
Northampton execute attractive football, which became obvious in the example of their new signing. The Gallic player was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the European competition in last season when Freeman scored a triple. Belleau was impressed enough to reverse the trend of British stars heading across the Channel.
“An associate called me and said: ‘We know of a fly-half from France who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘We don’t have budget for a French fly-half. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He wants new challenges, for the possibility to prove his worth,’ my friend informed me. That caught my attention. We had a conversation with him and his language skills was excellent, he was well-spoken, he had a witty personality.
“We asked: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and beyond the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”
Dowson comments the emerging the flanker brings a particular energy. Has he coached anyone similar? “Never,” Dowson responds. “All players are unique but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be who he is.”
The player's spectacular try against the Irish side last season demonstrated his freakish talent, but various his demonstrative on-field behavior have resulted in claims of cockiness.
“On occasion appears arrogant in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Pollock is not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s a smart player. I think on occasion it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s clever and a positive influence within the team.”
Hardly any coaches would admit to sharing a close bond with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Vesty.
“Sam and I possess an curiosity around different things,” he notes. “We maintain a book club. He desires to explore everything, seeks to understand everything, aims to encounter new experiences, and I think I’m the same.
“We discuss many subjects outside rugby: cinema, literature, concepts, art. When we faced Stade [Français] previously, the landmark was undergoing restoration, so we had a quick look.”
One more date in France is coming up: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be brief because the continental event kicks in shortly. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are up first on matchday before the Pretoria-based club arrive at a week later.
“I won't be presumptuous to the extent to {
