Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson: ‘My Bank Job Was a Real Challenge’

Northampton is hardly the most tropical location globally, but its rugby union team provides a great deal of romance and adventure.

In a place known for footwear manufacturing, you might expect punting to be the Saints’ main approach. But under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors choose to keep ball in hand.

Even though embodying a distinctly UK location, they display a panache typical of the finest French practitioners of attacking rugby.

From the time Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have claimed victory in the English top flight and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by Bordeaux-Bègles in the previous campaign's decider and ousted by the Irish province in a last-four clash earlier.

They sit atop the league standings after multiple successes and a single stalemate and visit Ashton Gate on Saturday as the just one without a loss, chasing a first win at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who featured in 262 elite games for Newcastle, Northampton and Worcester in total, always planned to be a coach.

“When I played, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “However as you mature, you understand how much you love the rugby, and what the everyday life entails. I had a stint at Metro Bank doing work experience. You do the commute a multiple instances, and it was tough – you realise what you have going for you.”

Talks with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a role at Northampton. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a squad progressively crammed with global stars: key individuals started for the Red Rose against the All Blacks two weeks ago.

Henry Pollock also had a significant influence as a substitute in the national team's flawless campaign while the number ten, in time, will take over the pivotal position.

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

“It's a mix of each,” comments Dowson. “My thanks go to the former director of rugby, who gave them opportunities, and we had some tough days. But the experience they had as a unit is undoubtedly one of the factors they are so close-knit and so skilled.”

Dowson also mentions Mallinder, another predecessor at their stadium, as a major influence. “It was my good fortune to be guided by highly engaging individuals,” he notes. “Mallinder had a big impact on my rugby life, my management style, how I manage others.”

Saints play appealing rugby, which proved literally true in the instance of Anthony Belleau. The import was part of the Clermont XV beaten in the continental tournament in the spring when Freeman notched a triple. He admired the style sufficiently to buck the pattern of British stars moving to France.

“A mate phoned me and said: ‘We know of a Gallic number ten who’s seeking a club,’” Dowson explains. “I said: ‘We don’t have funds for a imported playmaker. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires new challenges, for the possibility to challenge himself,’ my contact said. That caught my attention. We spoke to Belleau and his language skills was incredible, he was well-spoken, he had a sense of humour.

“We inquired: ‘What do you want from this?’ He responded to be guided, to be challenged, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the French league. I was like: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he turned out to be. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Dowson states the young the flanker brings a particular energy. Does he know an individual like him? “Never,” Dowson answers. “Each person is unique but Henry is different and unique in multiple respects. He’s not afraid to be who he is.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against Leinster previously showcased his exceptional ability, but various his demonstrative in-game actions have led to claims of cockiness.

“At times appears overconfident in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson asserts. “Plus he's being serious the whole time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s a smart player. I think at times it’s portrayed that he’s merely a joker. But he’s bright and good fun to have around.”

Hardly any directors of rugby would describe themselves as enjoying a tight friendship with a colleague, but that is how Dowson describes his connection with Vesty.

“We both have an inquisitiveness about different things,” he explains. “We run a reading group. He wants to see everything, wants to know everything, desires to try varied activities, and I believe I’m the alike.

“We converse on many things away from the game: films, books, ideas, creativity. When we faced our French rivals previously, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a brief exploration.”

One more match in the French nation is looming: Northampton’s return with the English competition will be short-lived because the continental event takes over shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on matchday before the Bulls travel to soon after.

“I refuse to be presumptuous sufficiently to {