Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘I Tried Working for a Bank – It Was Tough’
Northampton isn't exactly the most exotic destination in the world, but its club delivers plenty of thrills and drama.
In a city famous for footwear manufacturing, you would think boot work to be the Northampton's modus operandi. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the team in their distinctive colors choose to run with the ball.
Despite embodying a distinctly UK town, they display a style associated with the finest French exponents of attacking rugby.
After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the Premiership and advanced far in the continental tournament – beaten by a French side in the ultimate match and ousted by Leinster in a semi-final previously.
They sit atop the league standings after a series of victories and one tie and visit Ashton Gate on the weekend as the only unbeaten side, seeking a first win at Bristol's home since 2021.
It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 top-flight fixtures for multiple clubs combined, consistently aimed to be a coach.
“During my career, I never seriously considered it,” he says. “But as you get older, you comprehend how much you love the rugby, and what the normal employment entails. I worked briefly at a financial institution doing a trial period. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was difficult – you grasp what you possess and lack.”
Talks with former mentors led to a job at the Saints. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson leads a squad increasingly crammed with national team players: 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 profound impact off the bench in England’s perfect autumn while Fin Smith, eventually, will inherit the No 10 jersey.
Is the rise of this remarkable group due to the team's ethos, or is it chance?
“It's a bit of both,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the exposure they had as a unit is certainly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so talented.”
Dowson also mentions Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at the club's home, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging personalities,” he notes. “Mallinder had a major effect on my rugby life, my training methods, how I interact with others.”
Northampton execute appealing the game, which proved literally true in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was a member of the French club defeated in the continental tournament in last season when the winger notched a three tries. Belleau admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of English talent heading across the Channel.
“A friend phoned me and said: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a team,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We lack the budget for a imported playmaker. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He desires new challenges, for the chance to test himself,’ my contact informed me. That intrigued us. We met with Belleau and his English was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.
“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be coached, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the Top 14. I was like: ‘Join us, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he has been. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson states the young the flanker brings a unique enthusiasm. Does he know an individual like him? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Everyone’s original but he is distinct and special in numerous aspects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”
The player's sensational touchdown against Leinster last season illustrated his exceptional ability, but a few of his expressive on-field actions have brought accusations of cockiness.
“At times comes across as overconfident in his behavior, but he’s far from it,” Dowson asserts. “Plus Henry’s not taking the piss all the time. Game-wise he has input – he’s a smart player. I feel on occasion it’s shown that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and great to have to have around.”
Not many directors of rugby would admit to enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson frames his relationship with his co-coach.
“Together possess an curiosity regarding different things,” he says. “We run a literary circle. He wants to see all aspects, wants to know all there is, aims to encounter different things, and I feel like I’m the similar.
“We talk about lots of things beyond the game: movies, reading, concepts, art. When we played our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”
One more date in Gall is coming up: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be short-lived because the continental event intervenes shortly. Pau, in the shadow of the mountain range, are up first on matchday before the Pretoria-based club travel to the following weekend.
“I refuse to be overconfident to the extent to {