Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘My Bank Job Was a Real Challenge’

This English town is hardly the most tropical destination on the planet, but its squad delivers an abundance of thrills and drama.

In a place known for footwear manufacturing, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's main approach. However under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the side in their distinctive colors prefer to retain possession.

Despite embodying a quintessentially English location, they showcase a style synonymous with the finest French practitioners of expansive play.

After Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the domestic league and gone deep in the continental tournament – losing to a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by the Irish province in a penultimate round earlier.

They lead the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Ashton Gate on Saturday as the sole undefeated team, aiming for a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be natural to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight fixtures for various teams combined, consistently aimed to be a manager.

“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he remarks. “However as you get older, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the normal employment looks like. I had a stint at a banking firm doing work experience. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was challenging – you grasp what you do and don’t have.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder led to a role at the Saints. Jump ahead a decade and Dowson guides a squad increasingly crammed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the national side against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a major effect as a substitute in England’s perfect autumn while the number ten, down the line, will take over the No 10 jersey.

Is the rise of this remarkable cohort due to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?

“This is a bit of both,” says Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a collective is certainly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions his predecessor, an earlier coach at Franklin’s Gardens, as a major influence. “I was lucky to be mentored by exceptionally insightful personalities,” he adds. “He had a major effect on my professional journey, my coaching, how I interact with others.”

Saints play entertaining football, which became obvious in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was a member of the opposing team overcome in the Champions Cup in last season when the winger registered a triple. He was impressed sufficiently to go against the flow of UK players moving to France.

“A friend called me and remarked: ‘We know of a French 10 who’s seeking a team,’” Dowson explains. “I replied: ‘We lack the funds for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my contact said. That interested me. We had a conversation with Anthony and his English was outstanding, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He answered to be trained, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and beyond the Top 14. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re lucky to have him.”

Dowson comments the emerging Pollock brings a specific energy. Has he coached an individual comparable? “Never,” Dowson replies. “All players are individual but he is distinct and special in many ways. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”

Pollock’s breathtaking score against Leinster previously demonstrated his unusual ability, but various his animated in-game actions have led to accusations of cockiness.

“On occasion comes across as overconfident in his behavior, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's not joking around all the time. Tactically he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I feel sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s intelligent and good fun to have around.”

Not many managers would admit to having a bromance with a colleague, but that is how Dowson characterizes his partnership with his co-coach.

“Together share an curiosity about various topics,” he notes. “We have a literary circle. He aims to discover all aspects, wants to know each detail, desires to try varied activities, and I believe I’m the same.

“We talk about numerous things away from the game: films, reading, ideas, creativity. When we met our French rivals previously, the cathedral was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”

Another date in France is coming up: The Saints' return with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Pretoria-based club arrive at the following weekend.

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