Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’

Northampton is hardly the most tropical spot on the planet, but its squad offers an abundance of romance and adventure.

In a city famous for boot‑making, you could anticipate boot work to be the Saints’ main approach. Yet under the director of rugby Phil Dowson, the squad in the club's hues opt to retain possession.

Despite embodying a quintessentially English location, they showcase a flair synonymous with the finest French exponents of attacking rugby.

Since Dowson and his colleague Sam Vesty took over in 2022, Northampton have claimed victory in the Premiership and advanced far in the Champions Cup – defeated by a French side in the previous campaign's decider and knocked out by Dublin-based club in a last-four clash earlier.

They sit atop the league standings after four wins and a draw and travel to their West Country rivals on matchday as the only unbeaten side, seeking a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.

It would be typical to think Dowson, who played 262 elite fixtures for multiple clubs combined, consistently aimed to be a coach.

“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he says. “However as you mature, you understand how much you love the sport, and what the everyday life is like. I worked briefly at a banking firm doing a trial period. You travel to work a several occasions, and it was challenging – you see what you have going for you.”

Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a role at Northampton. Move forward eight years and Dowson guides a team increasingly filled with global stars: Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Mitchell and Alex Coles started for England versus the All Blacks two weeks ago.

The young flanker also had a profound impact off the bench in England’s successful series while Fin Smith, in time, will assume the No 10 jersey.

Is the emergence of this remarkable group due to the team's ethos, or is it luck?

“This is a combination of the two,” states Dowson. “I would acknowledge the former director of rugby, who basically just threw them in, and we had some tough days. But the practice they had as a group is certainly one of the reasons they are so close-knit and so gifted.”

Dowson also cites Jim Mallinder, another predecessor at Franklin’s Gardens, as a key figure. “I was lucky to be coached by really interesting people,” he notes. “Jim had a big impact on my rugby life, my coaching, how I interact with others.”

The team demonstrate appealing rugby, which was clearly evident in the case of their new signing. The import was a member of the opposing team overcome in the European competition in April when Freeman registered a three tries. Belleau was impressed to such an extent to reverse the trend of UK players joining Top 14 sides.

“A friend called me and said: ‘We've found a Gallic number ten who’s looking for a club,’” Dowson recalls. “I replied: ‘We don’t have money for a overseas star. Thomas Ramos will have to wait.’

‘He desires a fresh start, for the opportunity to test himself,’ my mate said. That caught my attention. We met with Anthony and his English was incredible, he was eloquent, he had a witty personality.

“We questioned: ‘What are your goals from this?’ He said to be guided, to be driven, to be facing unfamiliar situations and away from the domestic competition. I was saying: ‘Welcome aboard, you’re a fantastic individual.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”

Dowson says the emerging the flanker brings a specific energy. Has he encountered a player like him? “Never,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but Pollock is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s fearless to be himself.”

The player's breathtaking touchdown against their opponents last season demonstrated his exceptional talent, but various his demonstrative during matches antics have led to claims of arrogance.

“He sometimes seems overconfident in his conduct, but he’s far from it,” Dowson clarifies. “Furthermore he's not taking the piss the whole time. In terms of strategy he has ideas – he’s not a clown. I feel sometimes it’s shown that he’s only a character. But he’s bright and a positive influence within the team.”

Not many directors of rugby would claim to have enjoying a tight friendship with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with Vesty.

“Sam and I share an curiosity about various topics,” he says. “We maintain a book club. He aims to discover everything, aims to learn everything, aims to encounter varied activities, and I feel like I’m the similar.

“We talk about numerous topics away from the game: movies, books, ideas, culture. When we played our French rivals last year, the cathedral was under renovation, so we had a little wander around.”

One more match in Gall is coming up: The Saints' return with the Prem will be brief because the European tournament takes over shortly. Pau, in the foothills of the border region, are the initial challenge on Sunday week before the South African team travel to a week later.

“I’m not going to be presumptuous sufficiently to {