Northampton Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton is hardly the most exotic spot in the world, but its club provides plenty of romance and adventure.
In a town famous for footwear manufacturing, you might expect boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under head coach Phil Dowson, the squad in green, black and gold opt to keep ball in hand.
Even though embodying a quintessentially English community, they display a style synonymous with the greatest French masters of expansive play.
From the time Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, the Saints have won the domestic league and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in last season’s final and eliminated by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.
They sit atop the competition ladder after a series of victories and one tie and visit Bristol on the weekend as the sole undefeated team, chasing a initial success at Ashton Gate since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who played 262 elite games for multiple clubs in total, always planned to be a trainer.
“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “Yet as you age, you comprehend how much you appreciate the sport, and what the real world looks like. I worked briefly at Metro Bank doing an internship. You make the journey a several occasions, and it was challenging – you realise what you possess and lack.”
Talks with club legends culminated in a position at Northampton. Move forward a decade and Dowson leads a team progressively packed with internationals: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles lined up for the national side versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a significant influence from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.
Is the emergence of this outstanding generation due to the Saints’ culture, or is it chance?
“It is a combination of the two,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to an ex-coach, who gave them opportunities, and we had challenging moments. But the practice they had as a collective is definitely one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so talented.”
Dowson also namechecks his predecessor, another predecessor at the club's home, as a key figure. “I’ve been fortunate to be guided by highly engaging people,” he says. “Mallinder had a big impact on my professional journey, my management style, how I interact with individuals.”
Saints execute attractive the game, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was involved with the Clermont XV overcome in the Champions Cup in April when Freeman registered a hat-trick. The player liked what he saw sufficiently to reverse the trend of British stars moving to France.
“An associate phoned me and remarked: ‘There’s a Gallic number ten who’s in search of a club,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We lack the budget for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He’s looking for new challenges, for the chance to test himself,’ my mate told me. That caught my attention. We met with him and his communication was excellent, he was articulate, he had a funny side.
“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be challenged, to be in a new environment and beyond the French league. I was saying: ‘Join us, you’re a great person.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson comments the emerging the flanker brings a unique energy. Has he encountered a player similar? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “All players are original but Pollock is unusual and remarkable in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”
The player's spectacular score against the Irish side previously showcased his unusual skill, but some of his demonstrative on-field behavior have led to claims of overconfidence.
“On occasion seems cocky in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's not taking the piss constantly. In terms of strategy he has input – he’s not a clown. I feel at times it’s portrayed that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and a positive influence to have around.”
Few coaches would admit to having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson characterizes his relationship with Sam Vesty.
“We both have an curiosity around different things,” he says. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn all there is, wants to experience new experiences, and I believe I’m the alike.
“We converse on numerous subjects away from the sport: movies, literature, ideas, creativity. When we faced our French rivals previously, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a brief exploration.”
Another match in France is looming: Northampton’s reacquaintance with the Prem will be brief because the Champions Cup intervenes soon. Their next opponents, in the vicinity of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the Bulls travel to soon after.
“I won't be overconfident enough to {
