Northampton Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton may not be the most exotic location in the world, but its rugby union team delivers plenty of romance and adventure.
In a city known for footwear manufacturing, you would think punting to be the Northampton's primary strategy. Yet under leader Phil Dowson, the side in green, black and gold prefer to run with the ball.
Despite embodying a quintessentially English town, they display a flair associated with the greatest French exponents of expansive play.
After Dowson and the head coach Sam Vesty stepped up in 2022, Northampton have secured the English top flight and progressed well in the continental tournament – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a semi-final previously.
They sit atop the Prem table after multiple successes and a single stalemate and head to Bristol on matchday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be expected to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier fixtures for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester combined, consistently aimed to be a trainer.
“As a professional, I didn't really think about it,” he says. “However as you age, you comprehend how much you enjoy the game, and what the everyday life is like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing a trial period. You make the journey a few times, and it was challenging – you realise what you possess and lack.”
Talks with former mentors culminated in a job at Northampton. Jump ahead eight years and Dowson manages a roster progressively crammed with internationals: prominent figures lined up for England versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a major effect off the bench in England’s flawless campaign while the fly-half, in time, will inherit the fly-half role.
Is the rise of this outstanding cohort due to the club's environment, or is it luck?
“This is a bit of both,” states Dowson. “I’d credit an ex-coach, who basically just threw them in, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a unit is definitely one of the factors they are so united and so talented.”
Dowson also mentions Mallinder, an earlier coach at their stadium, as a significant mentor. “I was lucky to be coached by exceptionally insightful individuals,” he says. “Mallinder had a significant influence on my professional journey, my management style, how I deal with others.”
The team play appealing the game, which proved literally true in the case of Anthony Belleau. The Frenchman was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the European competition in the spring when Freeman registered a triple. He was impressed enough to reverse the trend of British stars joining Top 14 sides.
“A friend phoned me and remarked: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson recalls. “My response was: ‘There's no budget for a French fly-half. Another target will have to wait.’
‘He wants new challenges, for the chance to challenge himself,’ my friend informed me. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Anthony and his language skills was incredible, he was articulate, he had a witty personality.
“We inquired: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He responded to be trained, to be challenged, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the Top 14. I was thinking: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he has been. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dowson states the young Pollock provides a specific energy. Does he know anyone similar? “No,” Dowson answers. “Each person is individual but he is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be authentic.”
Pollock’s sensational touchdown against Leinster previously showcased his exceptional skill, but various his expressive in-game antics have brought accusations of cockiness.
“On occasion seems arrogant in his actions, but he’s not,” Dowson clarifies. “Plus he's being serious constantly. Tactically he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I think sometimes it’s depicted that he’s just this idiot. But he’s bright and a positive influence within the team.”
Not many coaches would claim to have sharing a close bond with a assistant, but that is how Dowson describes his relationship with his co-coach.
“We both have an interest about diverse subjects,” he explains. “We maintain a reading group. He aims to discover everything, seeks to understand each detail, wants to experience different things, and I believe I’m the similar.
“We converse on lots of topics beyond the game: cinema, reading, ideas, art. When we faced the Parisian club in the past season, Notre-Dame was being done up, so we had a quick look.”
Another date in the French nation is coming up: Northampton’s return with the Prem will be brief because the continental event kicks in next week. Their next opponents, in the shadow of the Pyrenees, are up first on the coming weekend before the Bulls travel to the following weekend.
“I’m not going to be arrogant sufficiently to {
